Coffee Pot #1 January 2013 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

[rtraincollector]

Hudson I haven't heard and bet
I don't but still feel I came out on top on this deal as a smoke unit will cost me about $15 with shipping. so I will have about #275 in it so I'm good with it it will greatly increase the value of my set now that I have the engine with original boxes even with the tender box in rough shape. I'm still thinking of getting a repo engine box maily for the insert.

Morning crew hows it going I'm back to work today yea.

Talk to you all later.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 40° with 100% humidity. It'll be cloudy with a chance of rain. The high will be 48°.


It's cool and wet outside this morning and warm and toasty in here. There's a long slow rain falling, no thunder to speak of. Just the sound of raindrops on the over-roof.

After my sign-off last night I got to work on a couple of locos. The end loco on the F unit Frankenloco trio started cutting out and was getting dragged. It has an old DZ125 decoder with short wires meaning it has additional wires added to extend those. That means multiple solder joints to check out. I found one that hadn't been soldered. The one the goes to the bottom of the motor. It was a simple job to clear any corrosion from the connection and solder it. That put it back in service. The other loco I worked on is another F unit, an F7A. A Bowser/Stewart body on an Athearn frame, Athearn trucks, Proto 2000 motor, blue box/hex drive hybrid drive shafts that I made for it and a custom made center weight that I made myself, not as heavy as an Athearn super weight but it gets the job done. I finished up around 3am. As a consequence I'm not feeling so great this morning.

[KRM]

Good morning guys, Clouds and sun with a chance of snow later. 34 Degrees

 Daughter and grand daughter are on the way over to spend the night. I had to tell my friend Mark I could not work on the bench work for the layout addition today because of them coming over. Maybe we can do it next weekend. I need to get more waterproof paint for the basement walls up before we do it anyway. I can do that this week once the wifey goes back to work.

Brutus, Prayers for your son. believe me I have been there and done that with both my kids. Heck I kind of was distracted in high school too.

 John, keep up on the clean up and it will be history before you know it. Prayers for your mom's speedy recovery.

[anjdevil2]

Hey, guys,

Thanks for giving me the "crud"...been fighting this since New Years Day...

Been a LONG 3 days, and glad I'm off today and tomorrow. 

Brent: Congas on the new addition!!

Fife: Little did you know you needed an Electrical Engineering degree for this hobby...

Prairie: ...BTW I am slowly rebuilding a 2026 to a 4-6-4 configuration, with fan smoke and TMCC...emphasis on slow...might be a CNJ or PRR road name and 41 road number..

Ryan:  I thought I recognized your area...I have friends near you, all of the HEMI persuasion....

Been trying to catch up, geez, what a chatty bunch....

Since today is a wash, may head up to Somerset, NJ for the Greenbergs show tomorrow.... I'm NOT going to let a little cold stop me, and yesterday was payday, all the bills are paid....sooooooo....  I have to visit my local Train Doctor as my MTH Wanderer (from Wild, Wild West) is lighted but inop and my Santa Fe diesel has no sound.  I also have a American Flyer Santa Fe that's locked up.  It belonged to a customer of mine, but he never reclaimed it.  I'll see what it will cost and go from there.

Jack:

My daughters 1987 Nissan Pulsar so the new ride is an old ride, junked the neon which paid for the $400 exhaust I put on.  Just got my package of new rotors and pads from Rock Auto $33.50, delivered.  Of course, the fronts are now metal to metal...so after my hot shower and steam, I'll run out and finish this, 'cuz I guess I have to stop sometime...

[sir james I]

It's back to cloudy. 27 degrees now.

I was out a little after 9 to help setup the modular layout for tomorrow. We got er going and then had some lunch with Charlie and another friend. About an hour of chat last night, mostly choo-choo talk.  Enjoy your weekend...S.J.

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Not much planned today so far but might take down the outdoor Christmas lights with my son.  Went for a walk early.  Temp here was about 42.

Rain forcast for tomorrow.  Also TTOS January train meet.  Might go to that.

Thanks for the comments on "Tales from the Rails".  I'll try to think of some more.  I remember just a short one now.  When I first hired out as a fireman on the railroad I was working as a trainee on a switch engine for a while in an intermodal yard.  I heard this story about a switchman down there who was a living legend.  The story goes like this, when he first went to interview for a job he had a speech impediment and talked funny according to some.  The official said "we can't hire you, you can't even talk right"  Without missing a beat the switchman said " what do you want me to do, switch out those boxcars or talk to them?"  He was hired!

later,

Ray

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

Good afternoon!

Got my 256 freight station and 6462 gondola today. Came via FedEx, so I'm considering myself lucky that they aren't broken. 

[cnw1995]

Aloha. Happy Saturday, although it's grey and cold. Took some time to bless the house this morning, then hope to putze around the basement until church - nice quiet day. Brutus, you know I've been there. Still doing what Jack recommends, looking for what motivates my middle boy...

[Anonymous]

Jack,

         When I am looking at 736s, I pay close attention to the rods and paint on the boiler.   I look for a "frosty" look to the paint and rods.  Shiny rods and shiny, chipped black paint send me running the other way.  Shiny paint is a sign of excessive handling or a bad "restoration", and shiny rods are nickel plated repros. Unlike the earlier 726, all 736/726RR have cadmium plated rods which have a dull look.  Damaged cab corners and markers are also a no-no.

RT,

      Regarding that seller, I think AZ just got closer to Cynthiana, KY.  Just got hosed on a 1033 bait and switch from a guy in Oley, PA, so I know how you feel.

Rich,

           Sounds like you got decent $$ for the Neon.  Pulsar looks good too with no visible rot.

Brutus,

            Some just have a tough time with math classes.  When I took Calculus in college, 1 took two tries and 2 took three tries with me giving it everything I had throughout.  I will say that having a teacher that realizes where they are and likewise has a lifetime of experience with the English language helps.  Plus some teachers just have trouble getting the info across in a way that everyone can grasp.

Ryan,

           Working retail myself, your post read my mind.  They say that "the customer is always right", but that's not how I roll.  I treat people how they treat me.  I done have any tolerance for rudeness from customers that I am trying to help.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Been working on one of the Frankenlocos in the F unit trio to make some adjustments on the drive. The shafts have always been a little long and that would cause it to bind in the turns a little bit. Not enough to slow it down but enough to make a bit of noise. So today I cracked it open and just for giggles uploaded a photo of the drive. That's below. Don't burn out your brain trying to figure out where all the parts came from. There's stuff an Athearn enthusiast will recognize and stuff a Proto 1000/2000 enthusiast will recognize with some other recognizable brand items that have no business being connected to either one of those and some items that would have you scratching your head.

[MichRR714]

SJ your Autorack is blinking now.  Tardis should be able to make your location.

watch?v=lwWp9 d0mxI

[rtraincollector]

Evening all got the chills again so time for bed. I just can't shake this its been on and off now for about 2 weeks. Wanted to take pics of the 2265WS set tonight but where it is its about 10 degrees cooler than here so I would really freeze could turn heat on down there but by time I did that and got it to temp I would be leaving may try and get pics tomorrow when I come home from work.

[sir james I]

Charlie, nice work on the ETD. To bad Lionel didn't do it right. They made a real nice set and then put a non operating ETD on the end. Not much new since noon except we had a visit from one of granny's niece, She stayed a couple hours. I am ready for tomorrows show so up and out by 9 am. Banilla is ready for the thingy.  .  .  S.J.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Charlie: Nice job taking care of the fake ETD problem.

[Anonymous]

Charlie,

               Gorgeous set too.

RT,

       Sent you an email.

Found a PW Lionel piece that's been near the top of my list for a long time, but has been too $$ when they've turned up.  Found a 726 Berk from '47-'49 in nice shape for $175, so I jumped on it.  No 2426W with it, but I'll find one when the market cools.  Sending the bill to RT.

[rtraincollector]

Jim concider it paid from your account 

replied to your email

got pics taken so will post at some time tomorrow. I still need a 6467 box for the set but working on that. 

[wrconstruction]

AnjDevil, You come over here for the car shows? 

Green, Who ever came up with that saying the customer is always right needs to be punched in BOTH eyes   and kicked in the n%ts

Now, Before every one flames me and Green, Spend 40 hours dealing with  the "public" and then come back and post your comments...    Its not like it used to be. People are flat out arrogant these days, I don't know if its the economy or what.

So speaking of work, I left at 10:30 Am assuming that the 5 people that were to be here at 8AM were not coming, I get half way home and the cell rings, and its one of the people screaming at me as to why I wasn't still there........     So back I went, and then the other 4 showed up.....  WTF    I guarantee you if I was to be at there house to pick something up, and said I would be there at 8am, and ran 5 min late, I would get a call at 8:05 GUARANTEED!!!  

ANY WAY, I got some well needed cleaning done in the train room, and started some electrical work on the layout.   Nothing of real value to post pics of today.

Tomorrow, I promised the wife, I'd start patching the drywall in prep for paint.  theres the spot I fell through the ceiling, we took on some water when I put the 2nd floor on, and we have a TON of "Nail Pops" (they come from heating with a wood stove, the stove dries the studs out faster than a regular furnace, so they shrink, causing the nails to pop)  and few seams that were just bad from the start.

I want to get all the "dust" done, then paint room by room.

Night

Ryan 

[Lehigh Valley 2089]

wr, I don't blame you as far as dealing with the public. Since I work as a sub custodian for my school district, people seem to be out often (and it is always a particular group that are out often. Often enough in fact that I wonder how they get away with it). That gets me so tired that I often don't have the needed energy to work on homework, let alone long term projects. And after watching pawn stars, I am often reminded just how short minded some people are (not saying anyone here is).

Got a headache as the day went on. Good night.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

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

[anjdevil2]

Just took 2 Tylenol, hope to be abed shortly...

Ryan...I have been known to frequent Ephrata at times, I left my '71 Demon outside of Harrisburg some years ago (sold it to him).  Been to Pottstown (cruised there some YEARS ago).  Had been with a GF in Souderton (yeah, I know, that's not even close)....Lebanon on occasion.....Nice area.  MANY friends there (including Boiling Springs...)

Probe:  I knew this one had issues....but I had to laugh when the Midas guy asked me to look under the car and I told him, oh, you mean the frame is rusted away?  Yeah, I know.  It's a beater anyway, so I don't care.  If it bridges me to my 2013 SRT 396 Hemi Challenger 6 speed, I'll be alright with it...

V8 - this is my first ferrin car......my road runner awaits a parts and cash infusion.  I do miss my big blocks and my small block, but with my salary, I have to make do.  It's a noisy fun car (the tire noise is killer...) And I don't complain at the 27 MPG I get (which isn't bad, cause 5th gear is nowhere to be found).  I swear it (the road runner) WILL be done for my 58th Birthday...along with my divorse .

Nighty night gang....Trying to beat this cold, have to get to Greenbergs tomorrow and then out for my sister's birthday party, which was cancelled from tonight.  She is also sick...

[Brutus]

Thanks guys - he can do it when he wants, which is the frustrating part.

Great video and great job, Charlie!

Nice chat with the guys tonight.  Never did much today.  I got up and started goofing around with this and that, took a nap, killed some zombies, chatted with the guys and now watching Expendables 2 again.  It's a good one if you like the old action movies from a few years back.

TARDIS is ready, let's get gone!

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was cloudy in SE Indiana.  The memorial service was a bit different and so was the wake today.  There was a large gathering and the family appreciated it,  Brutus, concerning your son, been there, done that, not sure what advice I can offer, as nothing I tried ever seemed to work.  Sometimes you have to muddle thru and hope things will correct themselves.  Sometimes they do and sometimes.....  Some of the other posters can offer some sage advice.   Submmbob, really enjoying all the Corvair conversations.  Reminds me of my dad's 1964 500 4 door sedan.  Heater was not one of its strong points.  TBIL.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

[8ntruck]

Mostly cloudy and mid 30's today.

We finally got home from our holiday travels to Michigan yesterday.  Spent today running errands.  One was a trip to ghe LHS to see what was up.  What was up was the Black Bonnet F3 A-A set was in.  Great looking pieces.  The B-unit I had ordered is due in later this week.

My wife and I finally got around to exchanging Christmas presents today.  I got her an accoustical gituar with some accessories.  She got me what I suspect is the rolling stock from a 1995 Lionel set.  There is a 4-6-2 steam locomotive in UP markings, flat car with automobiles, a gondola, a tank car, a wood sided reefer, a boxcar, and a lighted caboose in UP markings.  I've got a bid going on a 1995 Lionel catalog on E-bay for reference material.

Anybody out there have a 1995 catalog that they could check to see if this really was a set?

On our way out to dinner, my wife wanted to stop at Staples for some notebook sleeves.  While she was picking those out, I wandered into the electronics department to see what kind of cameras that they had.  What they had were Canon Rebel T3's on sale for about $100 off.  None were in stock, and today was the last day of the sale.  We bought one that will be delivered in a few days.

All for now.

[Demay]

Konbanwa,

It’s a very cold day today which makes me happy.  We had Sunday school and church this morning and relaxation the rest of the day.  I actually had a nap today; I needed it as I was up late finishing some schoolwork.  The wife made homemade tomato soup for dinner and I plan to have a root beer float for dessert.  I’m caught up on all my reading so maybe I’ll play the Wii with the kids tonight.

I called Trainworld early this morning to find out where the set my wife ordered back in November is; it was supposed to be my Christmas present.   They told me to call back Tuesday as they need to research the shipping invoices.  I suspect they forgot to ship it as they never send me any tracking information. 

Charlie – Nice job on the ETD project; thanks for sharing the video.

Sayonara,

Joe

[submmbob]

Hello all

Another quiet night on the mountain. Yup, there went another photon. A relatively warm 29 deg F out this morning.

Charlie - nice work on the light!

Mike - '64 was an interesting year for the Corvair. They added a transverse rear spring to deal w/ some of the swing axle issues. In '65 they went to full rear independent suspension. I had the chance to drive a '64 turbo convertible once. Fun!

Rich - the Pulsar must be one of the few cars w/ retractable headlights. Are the headlight motors hard to find? And if it runs and it's paid for and you like it, well that about takes care of it all.

I get a kick out of listening to you guys w/ command control. I'm interested in electronics, work on old radios, and of course surround myself w/ it for a living. But in the trains? Just not sure that's for me. I think TMCC stands for Too Much Computer Crap and DCS - Definitely Causes Surprises

Would be fun to find one of Lionel's old radio control sets. As we joke in the 'boatanchor' groups: real radios glow in the dark!

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Sunny & 32 here in RAVENS-town.  Have to help the oldest princess move into a "quieter" apartment today.  Hopefully won't affect my playoff viewing. 

Brutus - Fish.  He may feel like a small fish in a big pond with that particular honors class.  Perhaps next year allow him to swim with others his size.  Annnnd, take the boy fishing in the spring, and stick with it.  You can even start attending a fishing show or two  during the cold months to get him primed for spending some time with just Dad.  You will sub-plant your good tendencies with those that the bad influences are filling in at the moment. 

Sometimes it's all about fish.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a warmer 34 degrees. Going up to 48 today with a little sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and then I will spend a few hours in the train room. I need to run trains and do a little dusting too. Still trying to figure out how to do this train project. I think I have the details figured out.

Dining car has rolled in with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[blownout cylinder]

Good Morning

Snowing out here this morning..about 3" fell last night...some more expected...

Have a neighbourhood potluck to get stuff ready for this afternoon...every couple of weeks one of the neighbours gets to host this event...this week is our turn...

Have a good day!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning. It's 40° with 100% humidity and patchy fog. It'll be cloudy with a high of 58°.


Today isn't one of my good days. I knew that the instant I got up this morning. I'm having some balance issues that are making it difficult to get around. Looks like I won't be going out today and unless this changes I won't be doing any work on the layout or the trains.

[RockIsland52]

 

Good Mornin' Y'all From Warming Cape Ann Taxachusetts,

The sun is out and 90% of the ice I failed to mitigate with more shovelling effort last week is disappearing.  I was a tad worried about the little ones and the oldest ones who came over for New Years' Eve.  The salt I had left over from last year was unusable, a solid block, and I didn't have time to "re-granulate" it with a hammer. 

Charlie.....nice work in the rear light and the video.  What does ETD stand for?

Bob.....every time you talk about collecting photons, I get an image in my head of photon torpedoes from Star Trek.  Like MikeC's memories of his Dad's 1964 Corvair 500 4-door, mine are of my Uncle's 2 door.  He, my Aunt, and my cousins lived in Wisconsin and after the first Winter they got rid of the car because its heater and defroster couldn't keep up with the frigid temps and the ice/snow.  Nothing like the Corvair before or since, a shame it got "Naderized."  Also makes you wonder why the VW Beetle's rear suspension was not under similar assault by Ralph.

JoeyD.......did it ever occur to you that one of us picked up that set your wife bought for you in November and are keeping it safe and sound for you until your return to the States?

8N........congrats on the rolling stock and engine you scored from Mrs. Santa this past Christmas.  I got a 2008 Dr. Pepper "Doc Express" set from my son and daughter (after I scurried back down 12/26 to my train store to pick up two cars they had left behind.  Set was new, unrun, but split up.  I am very pleased that at least I have them thinking "trains" instead of clothing and similar useless presents, something I will enjoy from here on out.  I just need them to transition to specific pieces I would really like to have......need to leave the breadcrumbs trail so to speak to lead them directly to the "gold."

RT........hope today has you felling better.  When I got sick Christmas Eve/Day, I spent a good deal of time napping, and that did the trick.  And to avoid the chills to some extent, I wore a t-shirt, shirt, and a sweatshirt all day indoors.  Nothing but soup and crackers and ginger ale and aspirin for 48 hours along with coffee, of course.

Rich.....hope you are recovering from your cold.  And so what color would this prospective SRT Hemi Challenger be in your plan?.  Between the Road Runner project, the Pulsar repairs, and now your Challenger, you need to win the lottery and also secure more garage space.  

Ryan........good luck with the knucklehead, disrespectful public, especially the ones who demand everything even when they don't have it coming?  I worked for a $3 billion dollar outfit and had the gross misfortune of being the "go-to" guy with customer complaints sent or phoned in directly to the President.  "Make this go away" would be my marching orders until my investigation into the details of the complaint revealed the complaintant was asking for the moon even when he chose to buy something far more modest.  Talking the customers down off their high horse became the norm for me, with a little compromise thrown in.  Being right doesn't cut it.  Winning does.  But you are right, folks are very disrespectful and one-sided in their demeanor and their expectations.

Later, gang.

Jack