Coffee Pot #6 JUNE 2012 SIX 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

[Stourbridge Lion]

Good Morning CTTFans!

It's 59F and clear heading towards 90 today - YUK!

Fire News:  Over 43,000 acres burned and 2,600 evacuation notices issued so far.  As of this morning that are saying they have 10% containment  but could be awhile before they can get this beast circled.  Over 600 Fire Fighters on the ground with fantastic Air Support including 10 Tanker Bombers!

watch?v=3Gan1ARNM4A

[RockIsland52]

Good Mornin' Ya'll From Rainy Cape Ann Taxachusetts,

The past ten days so we have had four straight days of rain, four beautiful days of sunshine and temps around 70, and now are getting hit by rain again.  No A/C required yet, and I'll take it.  So will my wallet.

Lee.........I was glad to see you posting again on the POT.  on the job front.  The uncertainty of your position and work hours must be stressful every day.  My crystal ball sees another layout in your future.  Hang in there, buddy.

HudsonJohn........hire more people?  Surely you jest.  Why would they do that when they have the existing slaves staff working 60 hour weeks, holding down the fort, while foresaking one's personal life?  The same thing goes for my wifey.  Her department is running 2-3 short of the staffing levels when she was hired while the business grows.  There is a huge communication gap with the mucky mucks (select deafness) about the risks of running far too lean.  Penny wise dollar foolish.  When something serious and expensive goes South, the upper folks act surprised and then ask "How did this happen?"  Not why. DUH!!!

DonB......we all know why the #3 Goose is staying put and not making the trip to Colorado for Goose Fest.  They don't want to spend the money and/or risk a breakdown and spending more money getting your rig back to the nest and repaired    Have to admit, the engine is a treasure.

Jeff......glad to hear you are being a good boy with your meds.  Re the downed limbs and damaged-beyond salvage trees, up North here we call that a firewood opportunity. 

Darren........literally, holy smokes!!!  The 3rd worst wildfire in Colorado history?!?  As another poster commented, prayers for the folks who are in harms way and the firefighters who have to risk life and limb to put a lid on this.  

Brutus......I am sorry I missed your updates on Char and your Mom.  But I was glad to hear that procedure is behind the wifey and that she is feeling much better.  And  on your Mom's surgery and follow up treatment.  Look at the bright side of things.....at least she is embracing treatment , unlike my FIL.  I hope Chewy is feeling better.  At least she is small enough where you can throw her in the bathtub with you to get her cleaned up.

Chuck.......you eat Cheerios for breakfast.  I eat (formerly Sugar) Honey Smacks.  Does that count as a healthy breakfast?

LAZ.......happy belated birthday to your better half.  Hope you bought her something with flanged wheels suitable for this great event.   Re your official retirement, how are you doing trying to fill that gaping hole in your schedule?    Yeah, right!  Re your knees, are you taking any joint supplements like glucosimine and chondroitin?

Chief.....  is how you must be looking these days.  Listen to LAZ' vast experience in such matters.  Get yourself some better protective eyewear and wear a mask while cutting all that stuff.  And don't forget to hydrate the LAZ way with after working on your layout in the BOX.

V8 Dennis.......don't look back.  You did this all correctly.  I agree with the others that have observed that you are fortunate your property moved so quickly in this heavy "over-supply" housing market and with so many folks unemployed, underemployed, with bad credit and no savings, running scared, or just plain less interested taking on mortgage risk at this time.  Even though mortgage interest rates are at historic lows!!!  You read the market correctly and priced correctly, then just got lucky timing-wise with someone who bumbled along and was looking for exactly what you had to offer at your price.  It took me 9 months in a solid real estate market about 14 years ago to sell my parents' home, even when, against the realtor's "optimistic" advice, I aggressively priced it lower to move it more quickly!  My nephew's home in Chicago has been on the market for 18 months with nothing but tire-kicking folks throwing out insulting, low-ball offers.  He got a tad "optimistic" on the front end when he first listed it, had an inflated (subjective) opinion about what his house was worth TO OTHERS (we all feel this way), then found himself cutting the price (by too little) again and again.  Told him to stay put for about 36 months, until the pricing trough we are in and the uncertainty wains.  He has to live somewhere and has no pressing need to move.  Personally, I feel that the right, experienced real estate agent is worth their weight in gold!!!!  I and my family have used the same one three times over the past 24 years.  She knows her stuff!!!

RT.......   your cold/chest congestion is clearing up and that you are feeling better.  Make sure you squeeze out all of the sympathy you can from the wifey!!!   No sympathy?  Me neither.

Fife....... and congratulations on this milestone for Fifepup.  Just imagine, when all of this schooling is behind him in a few years you can look forward to him living with you until he is 35.   After all, you have wonderful accommodations for him as well as a yatchet.  

Roy......  and congratulations on your son's milestone as well, plus his entry into OU this Fall.  You have the same thing Fife and the rest of us have to look forward to.  I think DougM is oblivious to what awaits him on the other end, now with two in college and another in the pipeline.    And with regard to tuition?  OUCH!!!!

MikeC......  I have to admit, "you move pretty good for an older guy." (Rocky III). 

Dennis........no worries.  I'll go with you and your wife to China and carry the $$$.  If anyone accosts us, I will talk them to death.  Seriously, it sounds like you are about to hit paydirt shortly.  Bet you and the wifey are pretty excited.   It has been a long and winding road this time. 

TODAY'S MUST DO: As I mentioned in an earlier post, I have to make sure our SRX is serviced and clean and ready to go for an impromptu road trip Westward to visit the FIL in the hospital, also to help out my MIL. I have booked Maximus in the PUPPY SPA AND HOTEL.  Hired a landscaper for the next two weeks.  Paid all of the bills.  Catching up on laundry. The punch list that needs to be completed before/if we leave is extensive.  Maquest says 1,042miles one way.  So far the plan is two vehicles and 7 people including myself, hope the SIL's car is also at the ready.  I hate travelling with women by car.  I like to jump in the car and hammer it out without an overnight, using all availablee drivers, so that we get to maximize the time available to us to get things done when we get to our destination.  The women like to/have to stop too many times in transit and also seem too inclined to add an unnecessary overnight hotel stop to the process.

Later gang.

Jack

[rtraincollector]

Jack its kinda hard to suck up all the sympathy when you give the cold to the orther half lol

Relaxing today not much going on here.

Hope all doing well

Lee the job will come.

[dbaker48]

Brutus

BoC - prayers against cancer.

Char is doing a lot better today.  FOund out a friend was sick, but he did go to the hospital and is 100 times better now with a stent.  He'll be out tomorrow.  Bad time to be around me, I guess - everyone is getting sick!

Don B - that's a shame on that goose man.  Maybe another time?

Went back and read the previous posts, (finally).  You guys really have my support and prayers, for successful treatments, and better days for Char!

Regarding the Goose,  IMO I would REALLY be surprised if it makes the trip.  There are some real issues I don't see easily resolved.  First is the loading and unloading onto a truck.  Knotts does not have any kind of a dock to use, and a ramp is not really feasible.  The length requirement would be so great and not adequate space to accommodate and then a truck trailer.  The only practical way would be by crane.  And that would require the Goose to be broken into 2 segments then lifted, and reassembled.  (Colorado Museum DOES have a unloading dock.)  Lifting by crane would require a custom lifting device, there is a capable Crane on property.

Even a bigger issue is the Risk management.  As the RR is one of the primary attractions at the park, and currently the Goose is the only "back-up" to the Steam Engine in the event something would bring it down for any time.  Additionally, during the "off" season the Goose is the primary operating equipment for the RR.  So even if it was insured for any potential damage, the impending loss of revenue could be disastrous.  As much as I would have liked to see it go, especially after all the efforts that were made in anticipation of the trip, both inside and outside of the park.  I really doubt that it will ever happen.

Have another day off today!  Hoping to get some train time at home, or even just relaxing.  Good time to get the yard work done too.  So will just wait and see how things get directed.

Hope everyone has a great day!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 79° and partly cloudy. The high will be 88° with a chance of showers and thunderstorms.


I definitely have to get the layout cleaned up today. It looks like an F4 tornado hit it. Other than that just take it easy and watch some movies. Got 'The Train' in the DVD player ready to go. May run some trains later.

[Anonymous]

Afternoon Fellas

Had a rough weekend with baseball... would rather have watched a triple A team than my Phillies.

Father and elder sister came into town for the Sunday afternoon game. Christina really likes her Grandpa, when he walked in she was sitting on the floor and reached up for him... his quote 'well my trip could end right now and I would be happy'. However, she wasn't real interested in my sister. Felt bad for her because she really loves Christina and with Christina going through stranger anxiety it seems it really affects her when the 'stranger' is a woman.

We couldn't think of anything to do for dinner on Saturday so with a few websearches we found a 'new to us' restaurant in Gaithersburg at the Washingtonian Center called Copper Canyon Grill... UNBELIEVABLE food! Had a great time walking the boardwalk, watching the geese and ducks, and just having a good time with family... and of course the center of attention through it all was Christina (which she revelled in).

This weekend is Father's Day and Sunday will also be TheQ's and my 6th wedding aniversary. Going to dinner on Saturday, and hopefully go to Bal'more for the Tall Ships. Would love to see them under sail, but don't have the time off since at the end of the month we are heading to Alabama to see family for a week plus.

Jack - good to see you back!

Prayers for everyone in need - Jack's family members, Char, BoC, and anyone else in need.

Don - I agree with everything you posted about the Goose, it is sad, but very understandable why the decision was made.

[Hudson#685]

Lunch Time:

RI Jack, you are one really busy guy. Prayers for your family.

Blown Out: Hang in there with the cancer. Prayers

Brutus: Prayers for you, Char and your family.

Congrats to AF53. He is now the most hated man in a town in NJ. He is the Tax Assessor.

Have a  great day,

John

[RockIsland52]

Hudson#685

Congrats to AF53. He is now the most hated man in a town in NJ. He is the Tax Assessor.

John

I believe Ray to be a fair, honest, and upstanding guy when it comes to stuff like this, willing to listen to appeals.  Now I know how he is able to fund his AF train purchases with cash, keeping them from his wifey.  Must learn it from the Chief.    

Jack

[sir james I]

A sunny day, no clouds, just blue sky. I have a truck bed full of junk for a yard sale at our daughters house. We all know I will be hauling most of it right back home on Sunday. It's not far from here so I'm hoping I will be back in time for some banilla..S.J.

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Was another great day here.  Finished early, went to gym, came home in time to take wife and daughter out to lunch.  We then went shopping and bought some luggage for our pending trip.  Our old luggage is OK, but we wanted something more versatile and durable because we have seen what some foreign airlines can do, even worse than US carriers.

We then got our son who was doing vacation bible school.  One of the classes he had was lead by some marines.  He had such a great time, even came home with camouflage paint on his face from wearing a camo gas mask and doing survival training.  Just think, what fun a bunch of fourth graders can have playing war and blowing stuff up!  All under controlled circumstances mind you.

Jack, we are getting very excited here.  Wife has been decorating the kids rooms and buying clothes for them.  We almost got sideswiped by someone trying to come into our lane, while we were still in it.  Kind of brought us back to reality.  

Chief, look forward to seeing the progress on the box.

God bless, 

Dennis

[Anonymous]

Finally back online after a week of Verizon DSL Fail.  I did get a chance to get online for a few minutes here and there last week thanks to a neighbor's unsecured WAP.  They could at least upgrade from 802.11g to 802.11n though. 

Got the latest 314AW in yesterday. Definitely got taken for a ride with this one..  Bad.  More on that in an upcoming thread.

for anyone I missed. Need to get caught up here, PT, and AFM.

[blownout cylinder]

 

Good Evening...

We got the shopping done, picked up a few more Bachmann H14-44's and a few more Atlas RS's ...and going to do some exchanging of trucks ...such as A1A's instead..on the RS's...although one H14-44 could use A1A's

 

Tomorrow it will be another session at the hospital time..grumble grumble...kill Cancer...

JimProbe:  What happened with Verizon?  Seems an awfully long time to get the DSL fixed....

Chief:  Box is looking good!!

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  Off to shower.  Back from Edgecombe Co. farms [tickville].   Actually sprayed down and most were just running all over my clothes.  Got home and had 5 around my undies waist band.  Shirt tail came out once and the only place not sprayed.  Feeders full and with newly recharged batteries.  Cameras with new batteries, downloaded SD cards and the erased for another run.

Prayers for Char,Blown and others.

No Box work for several days.  Tomorrow is a Town day with meetings in the morning, lunch and then new Middle School ribbon cutting followed by Chamber Expo [in the new Middle School].  LAZ,you have email.

Off to the shower wash away ticks and redbugs.

Later. 

[Demay]

Ohayō,

I’m just having a quick break from all the paperwork at the office.  I had an easy three-mile run this morning.  It was cool outside but it felt nice.  The sun is shining today and it should warm up nicely.  I’ll take the family out for lunch today but I have no other big plans on the agenda.

Jack – You certainly have some valid reasons for your hiatus.  I’ll pray for you FIL, SIL’s aunt, and you.  BTW: Did you notice how well the Yankees have been playing? 

Dennis – I spoke with our pastor and we are not going to be able to set up the simulcast for this event.  Do you plan to record it and make it available for later viewing?  I would really like to use it for a Men's Breakfast event I am trying to put together. 

Laz – Six miles is still a very nice run.  So far I have been fortunate to not have any injuries or pain issues.  I attribute that to building up my mileage slowly and buying quality running shoes. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[Anonymous]

Barry,

            My modem wasn't synching with the equipment on Verizon's end.  I lost internet access completely last Monday (6/4), so I called Verizon after testing everything on my end.  They said someone would be here between Tuesday or the following Monday.  Finally, someone showed on Monday morning and fixed the issue.  I am just glad to be back online.

Spent some time on the 314AW tonight...ugh.  I was told that it was "fully serviced" and that "it runs well".  After testing and a quick inspection, negative on both counts.  It has the original, hardened grease in the gearbox, and a fouled commutator.  Those aren't a big deal, but it couldn't be that simple.

It made an attempt to run, but would bind.  I suspected a bent axle, but the cause of the problem was a mangled crosshead guide.  Straightened it and the binding is gone.

Those issues don't bother me as much as the fact that this 314AW isn't what the seller told me over the phone that it was.  WIth the fouled commutator and original brown grease that Gilbert used, it hasn't been serviced.  With the binding and no damage to the shipping box, there is also no way that it ran well for the seller.

However, the whistle is there and working.  That's more than I can say for either of my previous 314AWs. Just need that control box.

Venting over.

[Brutus]

BoC - Prayers!

Laz - belated birthday wishes for your missus!

Char is doing great now.  Mom might get her surgery as early as next week and then chemo for sure.  Jeff went home today and he's on lifting restrictions for a month I think.  SJ is healing up, so that's good too.

Looking forward to a weekend without plans - oh yeah, going to my brother's house for bbq.  Oh well, it will be fun.

TARDIS is ready, so let's go - I can drive for a change

 

[KRM]

Good night guys,

Long day had a lot to do. I won’t waste your time with the details.

Chief, Lets see some Box update pictures,

BOC. I agree T-*&# cancer.

Prayers for the rest in need.

 

[AF53]

Evening all! Nice night as the Yanks just finished sweeping the Braves. They are on a roll. Sounds like almost everyone has some sort of health issues or someone in the family does. Prayers for everyone.

On the train front I scored a nice 1931-1934 WIDE GAUGE steamer with a Vanderbilt tender the other day and club car. Just a few more cars and my 1930's set will be complete.  

Dennis - Can you make house calls???????

HudsonJohn - Thanks for letting everyone know what my profession is. I'll probably get banned from the Pot now. A few months ago I hinted about a possible promotion at work and it finally came through as the Mayor (Mayors are always nice) and council and I finally reached an agreement on salary. It went better than I had expected. We all went out to Red Lobster last night for a celebration.

Jack - It's nice to read your post's again! Now we can look forward to four pages a day rather than the pultry three it's been for awhile.

Jim - I have comcast here and my internet almost never goes down. Probably not once a year.

DougM - Those pics are real nice!

Later all,

Ray

 

[ChiefEagles]

KRM

Good night guys,

Long day had a lot to do. I won’t waste your time with the details.

Chief, Lets see some Box update pictures,

 

Lets see photos of your project.

Coming soon to your favoirite forum, layout framing in the Box. 

Sleep tight.

[8ntruck]

Sunny and low 80's today.

Prayers for healing and rapid recovery.

Not much going on - just the usual entertainment at work.  I've got some projects with very tight timelines.  It is kind of interesting watching the buracuracy catching up to my progress on them so far.  I did have the foresight to get a 'hunting licence' for my 'advanced prep. work' from management two and three levels above me.

Automotive swap meet at the fair grounds this Saturday.  Usually see something interesting there - usually have to talk myself out of purchasing another project too.

All for now.

[ChiefEagles]

Off to meetings all day.  Mayor uniform on.  No Box work today either.  Have a good one.

[laz 57]

Hi GUYZ,

  54 here and nice.  Already di my MINNIE walk and easy 3 miler.  Now to take her for a little exercise chasing rabbits.  Then I have adetist check up at 10.  Then I will make ready last flower bed for mulch tomorrow.  After lunch I do a nice 6 mile bike ride and then its GOLF with BRO.  Followed by WINGs and YUEs at Waynes.

BLOWNOUT, way to go keep on that bike it will help you with your battle.  Might even work up a thirst?

JACK, no, no suppliments save for fish oil.  I though about snake oil but the circus just left town.  Prayers for you on your trip with women folk in the car.

DARREN, WOW as JACK statsed "HOLY SMOKES".  Prayers for the peoples and the firemen out there.

SHAKE & BAKE, the goose must be something else.  Have you driven that yet?  Hope the steamer isn't too hot for you.  I miss be on the LOKIE but maybe in the fall?

DOUG M, nice pic.  Hope the concert was fun.

SIR JAMES, just mark all that stuff you're selling at the yard sale as "make me an offer" then sell it for a quarter. Might get enough for BINNELLA for the GUYZ?

Stay frosty,

laz57

[Banks]

 Hello all

Bright sunny 52 this AM

Moms followup went well. No sign  of the "C"  Gas 45 minutes west was $3.46 It's $3.55 here

Still working on the disguise for the trip to Beaufort

Son is trying to plant soybeans and make hay. Two weeks of showers got that behind schedule

Phillyreading, Thanks for letting us know about Ghost. for your job situation. Stop back more often

BOC 

Jack  welcome, back. I miss your Cliff Notes.

SS Fund calls  Later

 

Prayers for those in need

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 80s.  Last nice day before heat and humidity come back.  Got pounded 7-0 last night.  Missing 5 players (all good ones) and me having to play entire game made for a bad combination.  I think I played goalie for the last time as I was terrible in the goal as I gave up 3 goals during my stint.  I did ok otherwise.  I have to find a way to play better, but last night I just got beat on speed alone.  We ate supper after the game, came home and I fell asleep in the chair.  TBIL and I can drive tonight.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a sunny 59 degrees.  Going up to 86 today with sunshine.

Today is a busy day. Wife has an errand to run. I have a bunch of chores around the house. Then, a project to work on. Lunce and a nap, later.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 72° and more than slightly damp. Showers and thunderstorms are likely. The high will be 88°


Last night was one storm after another with periods of heavy rain and lots of lightning and thunder. Today looks to be more of the same as the forecast is calling for frequent dangerous lightning and brief heavy rains on the order of one-half inch. Not the day I'd choose for outdoor activities.

Not doing much today except running some trains and doing some cleanup on the layout. At this time I have two Roco built FP7's running. One Atlas, the other Con-Cor. The Con-Cor is the noisier of the two and tends to run hot.

[sir james I]

It's 63 with bright sun. Granny left early to help sit in the garage for the yard sale. I suspect sit is what they will be doing most of the time. But one never knows. Me, I will just goof off and have a nice quiet nap..S.J.

[Stourbridge Lion]

Good Morning CTTFans!

It's 59F heading up into the high 80's today with the potential for thunderstorms heading back into the area in the next couple of days.  Rain YES, Lightning / Winds NO!

FIRE NEWS:  As of yesterday there are now 1,000 Fire Fighters on the lines with most making their heroic stand on the eastern edge to save as many homes as they can and keep this beast from getting into the city itself.  They have gotten a 10% containment in the NE corner where this fire has burned up into an old fire so they caught a break where they can start and hold a line along the eastern edge.  The North, West, and South edges are burning out of control.

Here is another video that has taken by folks that live in the area...

watch?v=57P 79WqA4Q

[KRM]

Good morning. Beautiful day on the North Bluff above Marseilles. 69 now going to the 80s. Then like MikeC said the heater will turn on for the weekend.

Not much going on with the train front, wifey has been keeping me busy with yard beautiful work. I have been doing some night hunting. Three Raccoons and two Rabbits in the last week.

I am looking to get a SKS on Friday only because I think it is a good deal. It has a collapsible stock and the original stock, Grenade launcher, case and 1,000 rounds of ammo for a nickel. Thing is I don’t need it but the guy selling it needs some finical help at the moment and that guy is my son. Guess it will be our father's day gift exchange.

Chief, Project pictures? I guess I could thake a picture or two of the gravel in the lane if you want, or the flowers allllll over the place. I see my NS Dash 8 40-C is in the mail and should arrive on Friday.

V8 , I am with you I will do whatever I can to keep my teeth. Best thing I have found to help with it is getting the 6 month cleaning and check ups. 

AF53, That is okay, Somebody has to be the assessor. Ours were elected in Plainfield and I found a nice campaign contribution helped keep me off the radar screen. 

JimProbe, I find my DSL works better when I pay the bill.

Not much planned for today going out for some quiet time in the shed before momma gets up.

BOC, Brutus and all of you in need. Our prayers are for you.

As Chuck would say.

 

Y’all have a great Thursday!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Darren: Having been a firefighter for over fifteen years I'm no stranger to big fires. Those big runaway forest fires always scared me the most. It was real easy to be taken off guard while fighting the fire on one side and it sneaks up from the other side. I learned real fast to always go in with a group of three or more and keep my head on a swivel, constantly looking in every direction. I was caught unawares by forest fires a couple of times and have the burns to prove it. Those guys have my respect and prayers. The best of luck to them all. They're going to need it.

 

 

Tried for the past couple of hours to hook up a router. Followed the instructions to the letter. No matter what I did all I got was 'A Network Cable Is Unplugged'! Everything hooked up exactly as it should be. Darn POC is going back to Wal-Mart at the earliest opportunity! Looking at the box I see what the problem is: MADE IN CHINA!