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

[Hudson#685]

Lunch time:

Working another Saturday.

RI Jack, Safe trip and prayers for your Father in Law.

Brutus, Char has the right idea about the finances. she must have gone to the same school as my wife.

That is one long driveway. Must be fun snow plowing.

Submmbob: Youre CT90 project sounds like some of the things we have to do here to keep some of these "vintage" vehicles of ours on the road and operating correctly.

Ray, Great time last night! Must be getting old when the DJ said he was going to start off playing "oldies". Sounded like " newies" to me.

Chief: All kidding aside, Ray is good at what he does. We just loike to tease him.

Thoughts and Prayers for all in need!

Have a Great Day!

John

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Cleaning house with Wifey.  A lot of "her crowd" coming at 6 for her Father's Day meal.  Pleasant outside.  Not hot at all.  Will mow in a few to make outside look good.

Later.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. The temp is 78°, it's mostly cloudy and there's a 20% chance of thunderstorms throughout the day. The high will be around 88°.

No plans for today other than clearing some stuff off the layout. It seems like I'm constantly having to work on something.

[sir james I]

It's gonna be hot. 73 already heading for the Hi 80s. I will be heading to Charlies house at noon to help set up the module layout in his driveway. It is his annual summer club meet and the only outdoor one. Tomorrows fathers day so it will be a full weekend..S.J.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a beautiful, sunny 72 degrees. Going up to 86 today with sunshine.

I went out on the back deck and had a cup of coffee, while I watched the birds in the feeders. We have a lot of humming birds, which will fly right up to you. Raccoons were here last night and knocked over the trash can. Things are normal, as far as here goes.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

The start of sticky week is upon us..69F out there going to a high of 78F feeling like 89F today..we be sitting in AC comfort right now as the air is at 90% humidity...

Going to take things easy this weekend..no visits planned or any of that..just plain ol' relaxing...

[submmbob]

Hello all

Another quiet night here on the mountain. One more week of observations and then we shut down for summer maintenance. I will then go on to a 4on/3off schedule.

Kev - that's a lot of flippin' gravel!

DougM - I like to use the dremel reinforced cut-off wheels. They last longer and don't fly apart

BOC - continued thoughts and prayers

Jack - got your message. Safe travels.

Ran the outside loop w/ the 2025 for my friends son. Had been a while. Ran good and smoked well. Still need to figure out what is up w/ the inner loop. Finally got the right cord for the ZW so I may be able to finish that up soon.

Got the right handlebar switch put on the Honda CT90. Was a fun little project where I had to unsolder part of the old switch and install it in the new one so it would work the same, then re-heat shrink everything and pull it thru the handle bars. Now the accelerator and front brake work. Need to finish up re-connecting all the wires inside the headlight and see if I can get it to start. Ended up that I couldn't find a way to get it up to Phoenix so my friend could take it with her to Wyoming, so I may keep it for a while longer. After my recent accident I'm a little leery of riding it. Never have ridden a motorcycle before as the driver. It's fun to work on though so we'll see.

May end up w/ my friend's '74 VW bus to sell for her. I've been it's adopted father for about 15 years now. If that comes to pass I will have 17 air cooled cylinders around the house for a bit

Bob

 

[Demay]

Konnichiwa,

I was up early this morning to run in the base’s Father’s Day 5K.  Fortunately the race finished just before the rain started.  It has been raining most of the day so I’m glad I mowed most of my yard yesterday evening.  I had a quick Tardis ride but I had to end it early so I could help the wife unload groceries and then take the family out for lunch.  We found a very good Italian restaurant off base.  The pizza tastes just like the kind you find in Italy.  I am going to spend the rest of today reading and relaxing. 

Dennis – Those are fantastic numbers.  I’m glad it went so well.

Sayonara,

Joe

[Brutus]

BoC - prayers for healing!

Waiting for my new switches to come in from the Hobby Station, UPS Ground. 

Doug - we saw you go BLIP on the radar - on and off?  Never saw you come back, we figured Kelly was on checking her FB or something?  Nice chat tonight with SJ and Joe.  Watching some episodes of GRIMM we dvr'd and this one has a preward lionel train in it - sweet

Don - great info about running your engines, please keep updating us.  Your are officially one LUCKY DUCK!

SJ   Hey Chief, ever hear the story of the King of the Pineys?  Good old "ghost story" I heard when I was a kid.

Tomorrow is going to be a little busy in the afternoon - need to stop at the hospital to visit an old friend for a few minutes, then to my brother's house for a bbq dinner for my niece.  She's my Goddaughter and it's her 16th birthday.  Wow - how did that happen?  Sunday, I think I have to drive to Columbia to trade kids with my in-laws.  Son went this week and next week will by my daughter's turn.

OH - Does anyone know if you can put coil couplers on an S4 BANG loco?  I've never installed them and not sure what, if any, version would fit. 

TARDIS is ready - let's go!

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone.  Just got home from the simulcast from our church.  The official count was that they had showings in five countries and all fifty states with over 100,000 people watching.  It can still be seen starting Monday by logging onto Lifeway's web site and linking with the Men of Honor.  Lots of great information on being the dads and husbands we are called to be.

Well, the rest of the day was good in that the extra two kids I was watching went home and I was able to get a short nap in prior to heading off to church.  I was not able to eat dinner until I got home tonight.  Hope I can sleep with reheated pizza in my belly.

Doug, sounds like Benzilla had a great day!  Glad you are able to spend such quality time with your kids.  I have looked around and could make a good bit more money elsewhere, but my time with the family would be less.  In my life, my family is much more important.

Have a great weekend,

Dennis

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Time for me to call it a night. See y'all tomorrow.

[sir james I]

Let's see, ah, it's 81.

Chief half of a five gallon bucket would be 2 1/2 gallons. Just trying to help you out here. Well I spent some time today in and outside, nothing worth writing  about. No train news either. No rain. Everything is drying up. I will leave the banilla in the freezer till the thingy lands...S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I was looking at the motor in the FP-7 and saw that it's skew-wound and that got me scratching my head. As far as I know such a motor wasn't very common in the 80's, so I took a long look at the Atlas releases for 1980 and later and found my newer FP7 in the 1991 Atlas release list, not the 1980's listings for the Roco/Con-Cor models like I thought. So it is an Atlas. I can't figure why they used such a chincy motor unless it was to save a couple of bucks. And why is the Atlas name filed off the bottom of the trucks? Then again it was motor and truck problems with an Atlas switcher that scared me off from them in the 80's.

The storms have cleared out for the time being but the radar shows more of them headed this way. It may prove to be an interesting and noisy night.

[cnw1995]

Whew! Back from bowling, video games, laser tag, and then an hour at the park in 90+ degrees with the youngest and his friend. Boy, is it dry out here. Lots of grass fires all around. Hope you all have a great weekend. 

[blownout cylinder]

Good Evening

Welp, got the stuff picked up and I didst ride my bike down to Springbank Park and beyond a bit...and I actually managed to get up enough energy to continue getting a few things done on the layout...

Kevin:  My uncle's farm had a 3/4 mile long driveway that was all gravel..that took almost 14 dumptruck loads to redo every so often...it was nuts!!

 

[ChiefEagles]

Ray, you can survive as long as you do what we say.

Been a real pretty day.  Did some minor Box work and some planning.  Got my hairs cut [unlike SJ that has his hair cut one and only].   Then worked Wifey's big garden [big meaning everything in it is big].  Picked a half of a 5 gallon bucket of string beans off of 3 rows 4 foot long.  YES!  Pulled her grass and weeds.  Added fertilizer and some nitrogen.  Hoed it in.  Now watering it all in.

Cooking squash and onions in a few.

Kev, piney woods is a Southern saying for deep big woods.  

Later.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Storms were getting close earlier so I had to shut down for a while. There's still plenty of thunder to be heard but it's distant. I went out and looked at the sky. Not a patch of blue anywhere. No sunshine streaming through. Just gray as far as the eye can see.

Got a problem with one of my FP7's. The newer one, and it literally is new, it only has a few hours on it, appears to have a bad motor. That doesn't surprise me as the motor looks to be very cheaply made and runs hot. It's a little thing and is mostly plastic. It's a Roco built loco using Atlas parts (Atlas name removed) and pretty much matches the description of the locos made for Con-Cor in the 80's. When I say it runs hot I mean hot. It gets the shell hot. So it looks like I'll be looking for a motor I can shoe horn into it. The other FP7 is a Roco built Atlas made in the 70's. The insides of the two with the exception of the trucks is like night and day. The old one has a heavy frame and a big can motor an dthe new one has a somewhat lighter frame and that little plastic motor that's an open frame type similar to what Athearn uses.

[rtraincollector]

Evening all not a lot going on here today ran trains for a while then had a rut rho not sure what's went on but the B-unit rear truck jumped track ( just the front set of wheels I could hardly notice it as it was such slight off the track) but enough to cause a short. been running for about 1/2 hr put back way it should be ran fine again for about 1/2 hour said well time to call it a night.

Tator tots and bacon cheese burger for dinner.

Been awhile since I had that meal. Well time to shut down putor and go relax befor bed. Talk to you all later.

 

[dwiemer]

Good afternoon everyone.  Took the day off as wife wanted to put in a few hours to keep up with things.  I ended up baby sitting our two kids and two other kids for the day.  Guess it is a good primer for when we have four of our own!  

Kev, that is a lot of driveway.  Ours is not nearly as long, but is all concrete.  We have six slabs that will eventually need replacing as tree roots have taken their toll on them.  Fortunately, that is a small number compared to replacing all.  I like the gravel drive, but the dust would play havoc on our vehicles paint.

Well, tonight is the big simulcast.  I will head over early as they are expecting quite a crowd.  It goes for two hours, so not very long.  Joe, I will inquire from the powers that be regarding getting a copy of the program.  It may be that you would have to log on later, but it will also be broadcast in a month.

Next week is brewing up to being busy with the surgery schedule.  The summers are often like this where one week is slow, next week, you'll be lucky to see your family.  I do have to make some plans to visit some friends who have had it tough with their health lately.  They may not be around much longer, and when one has reached the end of the road, it can be lonely.

God bless,

Dennis

[AF53]

Home early today as HudsonJohn and I are heading out for my cousins daughters wedding today. Great to see family members that you don't see but once a year or so.

Thanks to JoeD, DougM and others about the promotion. I'm surprised Chief didn't pick up on my comment concerning Mayors. I've been in Municipal work for about 20 years and have worked with my share of Mayors and they are just like anyone else. Easy to get along with as long as they are easy going !

HudsonJohn - I will see you for dinner (I'll buy the drinks tonight) and later at your house to check out my new (old) wide gauge loco.

Later

Ray

 

[KRM]

ChiefEagles

Kev, that is a loooooooonnnngggg driveway.  You live that far back in the piney woods, no wonder you have critters.  Think I will come and sit in your yard and call coyotes.

Was a little disappointed that you did not have a video of you with your head sticking out of the top of a septic tank.  

Thanks

Good afternoon,

Nothing but hot and scary dry.

Well the son and grandkids came and went in a flash. I now have a SKS and he has my money. Happy Father’s day.

Chief,

The only tree we don’t have is pine trees. We have oaks, shag bark hickory, cherry, ash, walnut, elm and others but no pines.

And by the way what goes on up north stays up north. No septic pictures.   Sorry.

Oh yeah, SJ and Brutus the one I thought I missed last night was next to the driveway in front of the house this morning dead. Makes 6 shots for 6 kills.

We need to get ready to go pick up the daughter’s little one later to spend two days with us. I will be beat by Sunday. Don’t think I will get to the Tardis tonight.

 Have a good day.

Flower projects,

 Mulch today

The 1926 grain drill

[jeffrey-wimberly]

SPMan

that's some driveway!  Probably be called a highway where Jeffrey lives.

Secondary road. That equates to a highway with no shoulders here.

 

 

We have small storms moving through. Nothing spectacular though it is noisy. Some distant thunder and lightning. The more distant it is the better I like it. I've spent the last few days hearing lightning strikes close by and that gets old quick. I hope someday soon to be able to have enough money to get a new windshield wiper motor for my van. I'd like to be able to drive it any time instead of just days when I'm sure there's no rain.

[SPMan]

Kev, that's some driveway!  Probably be called a highway where Jeffrey lives.

Cool morning here with heavy marine layer.  Good for morning walk.

No takers for Thursday night operating session last night so set this one out.  Been running my Santa Fe Alco PA's with a matching passenger train lately.  This is the early MTH version with only a horn and reverse unit.  Love it!

Jack, have a safe trip to the in laws.  I haven't driven any long distance in years myself.  Even a 50 mile trip to the beach would be a challenge for me now.

V8 Dennis, good luck with the denture.  I have been lucky I guess.  I have two partials.  Upper and lower but have not had too much trouble with them except once in a great while breaking a tooth loose that they have to fix.  I went in for a cleaning this week and they found one cavity that needs filling.  It was so small the dentist almost decided to just watch it but ultimately decided to fill it.  Have to go in again in 10 days.  I wanted to keep dental work to a minimum with this medicine I am taking now which lowers your immunity.  I am taking antibiotics when I do get dental work so hope that's enough.  So far doctor says keep on doing what you have been doing but report any infections.

Our monthly dinner group has decided to go to the new Olive Garden next month near us.  They won't like me because I'm a teetotaler and they like to sell a lot of wine.  However, we have enough imbibers in the group to make up for me.

later,

Ray

 

[KRM]

LawsonFarmsRR

Kev - Are you sure the drive is only 1/4 mi? Took over 2 min. to travel and that is a lot of gravel for 1/4 mi.

Our drive is 1 mi long and it takes 8 six ton loads of gravel. We do put in the divider, bur even so.....

Just saying.

Pat

 Pat it is just over a 1/2 mile long but we only added gravel to the front half of it. The back half I built when we got the land 8 years ago so it is okay. The front had not been taken care since the early 80s. 27 6 ton loads are about the same as 8 semi loads. 160 ton.

 Looks like a lot in the truck but just goes away once you dump it.

Tks

 

[ChiefEagles]

Kev, that is a loooooooonnnngggg driveway.  You live that far back in the piney woods, no wonder you have critters.  Think I will come and sit in your yard and call coyotes.

Was a little disappointed that you did not have a video of you with your head sticking out of the top of a septic tank.  

Thanks

[dbaker48]

laz 57

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?

laz57

Laz,

The Goose (#3) went out of service for the summer about 3 weeks ago.  The steam engine is on everyday day due to attendance numbers.  The Goose was given a new paint job and decals in preparation for the "Goose Fest".  Unfortunately, the trip was scuttled at the last moment, now it is all dressed up and no place to go.  It won't be put back in service until this fall.  I did get to drive it a few days before it was taken out of service.  It is very simple just like driving a truck with a 5 speed transmission, only without a steering wheel.  Of course the view of the track ahead is mesmerizing.  (I often think of what it would have been like to have been driving it through the mountain side in Colorado.)  One of the fun things is explaining the history of the Goose to the guests!

The schedule has me working 40 hours/week, (Retirement?). Usually a 8 hour shift is divided up between the Steam Engine, and "Little Toot".  Little Toot is the 2ft gauge train that runs in Camp Snoopy.  Still "Firing" the Steam engine and YES it sure gets hot.  Wearing the bibs, and a long sleeve flannel shirt doesn't help, but wouldnt want anything less.  The policy is that I can't leave the cab for ANY reason, unless I get permission from the engineer.  In between runs, he is doing maintenance or refilling the water tank.  The engine safety values will go off at 152psi, we run the boiler between 145 and 150psi.  The water is refilled every hour.  We do blowdowns every other hour.  I calculated the number of trips and distance, it ends up we end up blowing the engine down approximately every 3 to 3 1/2 miles.  (Probably a bit excessive.)

When I go over to Little Toot, I am by myself.  It too is a steam engine, and do both the engineer and fireman functions.  The boiler on this engine is typically run at 75psi, and all the controls are within easy reach.  The water is refilled every hour, and blow down the boiler every 1/2 hour.  Oil the engine every hour.  Usually make between 6 and 8 trips per hour.

All in All I'm enjoying it.  One of the guys told me he looses about 8 lbs every summer, so will not be a bad thing.

Stourbridge Lion - Been following your fire status updates, great job!  Sure will be glad when it is under control.  My concerns is how long it will burn, hopefully not all summer!  Lots and Lots of people affected, where is the aid and assistance from the Feds?

BLC - Prayers are with you!

Kev- Nice driveway !

 

Take care and have a great day!!

[LawsonFarmsRR]

Kev - Are you sure the drive is only 1/4 mi? Took over 2 min. to travel and that is a lot of gravel for 1/4 mi.

Our drive is 1 mi long and it takes 8 six ton loads of gravel. We do put in the divider, bur even so.....

Just saying.

Pat

[cnw1995]

Kev, wow...now that's a driveway.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Kev: That driveway is in better shape than the road I live down.

[KRM]

Chief, you asked, A ride down the lane.

Here is the gravel project. Driveway is just over ½ mile from road to our shed.

Distanced recovered with gravel is about ¼ mile. 27 trips of 6 ton loads. Gator is doing about 15 MPH. Got to run. Not responsible for motion sickness.

Have a good day and Prayers for all in need.

watch?v=oSkC8zh3btI&feature=youtu.be