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Coffee Pot #4 APRIL 2013 TEN 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 Yanks. Locked

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Posted by cheapclassics on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:09 AM

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 60s.  Will pick up some more shelves for the attic tonight if they have them in stock.  Maybe mow the yard as well.  Going to a TCA meet tomorrow morning and maybe visit some family as well.  Perhaps go to a dance Saturday night if not too tired.  TBIL and I can drive.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:11 AM

Good Mornin' Y'all From Sunny Taxachusetts,

Well we will have 70s and sun for the next 5 days, the grass is green, the daffodils bloomed this past weekend (tulips taking their time), and the buds are showing on the trees.  There is nothing like warming temperatures, fertilizer, sun, and rain to get things cranking. Thumbs Up

My granddaughter's school play last night was fun.  She was scheduled to go on for her solo song after the halftime intermission and I was ready to videotape as I was asked!  Except for the part where the other little granddaughter sitting next to me in the audience went to press buttons on the camera hanging around my neck.  Unbeknownst to me, her little hands spun one of the dials.  So when I went to video Victoria's song, the screen was black!  Yup, missed the whole song because it was dark in the theater.  Could not make adjustments in the dark and get the video rolling.Bang Head

Later, gang.

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:37 AM

Good morning. It's 59° with 69% humidity. It'll be cloudy with a high of 78°.


No plans for today. I may work on the layout later but nothing will be done this morning. I just don't feel up to it. I didn't get much sleep last night so I'm rather tired.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by charliebrown on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:42 AM

Good Morning All ...

Going to a high of 61 today. Dry for once. Headed out to service call. Praying I get done and come back in one piece.

Headed to the Home depot tonight. Hope to see some progress on layout this weekend.

I have been looking at T and K hobbies out of Bridgeport Oh for track and new engine. Anybody deal with them?

Guess that is it for now.

 Question

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Posted by KRM on Friday, April 26, 2013 8:20 AM

Sunny but partly cloudy on the North Bluff and going to the mid 60s. Yes
I will be heading to town to the post office to ship some Pontiac rally 2 center caps I sold on the Bay last night and then whenever the wife gets moving off to Krogers for food. Dinner
Rich, I hope you had a good birthday and get a handle on the other issues.
Jack, bummer on the video. Bang Head
Fifedog, can you post pictures of those Generals when you get them? I for one would like to see them.
Roy,  Welcome Back.
Banks, It is good to be in charge. Even if only for a day or two. Laugh
RJ, 54” curves are nice. I think you will like them. You could use a mix of 54 and 72 and miss the Bar.
8N, $1,300 Ouch Surprise
Bob, Sure sounds to me like you got plenty on your plate.
Jake, your young and got nothing but work in front of you. So don’t knock yourself out. Bang Head

 Well off to town.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Friday, April 26, 2013 8:51 AM

R.j.   (charliebrown)...  I have bought a few things from T & K and have been satisfied with the prices and service.  I visited their store and was impressed.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by cnw1995 on Friday, April 26, 2013 9:08 AM

Aloha and TGIF from a sunny but still-cold northeastern Illinois.  Belated birthday and good health wishes to Rich! Cake  Buckeye, I hope you can recover this weekend. It looked like a nice trip - especially the Acela ride and B&O museum.  Missed the TARDIS last night because I was just so tired I went to bed early. I think it's allergies as everything wakes up. Watched the White Sox win,

Kev, I think you have a good idea with the lattice. My most successful tunnel was built on cardboxes boxes - I had seemingly a million of them so I could choose different sizes that I used as a frame - I cut out the tunnel mouth in their sides, lined them up and stacked them up, fit in a Lionel and later MTH tunnel entrances, then covered it all with tunnel cover paper put out by Lifelike. It looks like pre-war tunnels with brown and green streaks, draped well after I wet it - it's essentially colored butcher-block paper - and trimming the cardboard fit the curves perfectly... I'll look for photos.

As an aside, I'm debating how to tackle a sudden blossoming of rust in the 13 year old minivan. Probably a bit more than I could grind down, primer and repaint myself...

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 26, 2013 9:15 AM

One thing I am doing this morning is taking some photos of the Bachmann GP38 chassis (wears a GP40 shell) to show the decoder setup. It has two decoders, Bachmann and Digitrax. I didn't feel like redoing all the lighting so the Bachmann decoder controls the lights. Now as anybody who has ever tried knows the Bachmann decoder has lousy motor control. Speed matching it is virtually impossible as far as I know. Playing with the start voltage has some effect but that just controls when it starts moving, not how fast it moves in a given speed range. For that I piggy-backed a Digitrax DZ125 decoder onto the Bachmann decoder. This gives great motor control and speed matching is a snap. Programming an address is like programming an address to any single non-sound decoder. This loco still has it's capacitors. They haven't caused a problem so I don't see any need to remove them.





Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by sir james I on Friday, April 26, 2013 9:24 AM

Temp is 44 with bright sun. 60s today.

No plans for today except our Friday eat out meal. The grass is starting to look ratty so mowing is not too far off. No green trees yet though. Oatmeal and one toast this morning..Weekends a-commin.

S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, April 26, 2013 10:01 AM

jeffrey-wimberly

Good morning. It's 59° with 69% humidity. It'll be cloudy with a high of 78°.


No plans for today. I may work on the layout later but nothing will be done this morning. I just don't feel up to it. I didn't get much sleep last night so I'm rather tired.

Jeffrey......based on your engine work, it sounds like the new medication is helpng.  Hope you can sneak in a nap today.   JACK

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 26, 2013 11:05 AM

RockIsland52

jeffrey-wimberly

Good morning. It's 59° with 69% humidity. It'll be cloudy with a high of 78°.


No plans for today. I may work on the layout later but nothing will be done this morning. I just don't feel up to it. I didn't get much sleep last night so I'm rather tired.

Jeffrey......based on your engine work, it sounds like the new medication is helpng.  Hope you can sneak in a nap today.   JACK

Thanks for reminding me. I hadn't taken my meds yet. At times I make the absent minded professor look like an obsessive clock-watcher.

*

Blast from the past? I dug this Bachmann GP40 body (late 90's) out of the junk box. I'd never heard of Pathmark so I looked it up. I guess like many stores Pathmark marketed train sets at one time. The drive I pulled out of this one is definitely 1990's train set quality. Front truck picks up power and the pancake motor on the rear truck powers the unit. The shell is now on the GP38 frame and the other Bachmann GP40 body is back on the Atlas frame. It wouldn't take much work to get this one presentable again.



Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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Posted by SPMan on Friday, April 26, 2013 1:06 PM

Good morning all,

Buckeye, congratulations on passing the stone.  I know how they hurt as I have had several over the years.  No fun!

Went with wife yesterday to get her drivers license renewed.  She passed the test Ok but was worried since it has been five years since she did the last one.  Only questions she missed were non driving related questions. I.e about smoking with children in cars, drinking etc.

We celebrated her birthday which was yesterday also by going out to dinner last night at the Outback.  Had steak and coconut shrimp for appetizer.  They gave us free desert for her birthday.  We will celebrate with the entire family on the weekend.

My adult son traveling in the East finished his visit in Jacksonville, N.C. yesterday and headed North to visit my brother and some more cousins of his in Suffolk, Va.  Said he went fishing with cousin in N.C. but only caught two fish.  However he said it was a beautiful day and they had fun.  He found the place where my grandparents lived which I have not seen in over 60 years.  A little place called Pinetown, N.C. between Washington N.C. and Plymouth, N.C.  The original Norfolk and Southern Railway went through there.  It is where a branch line takes off from the main and he saw a train there and took some photos.  The depot is long gone but a short line railroad services the area now.  The old NS discontinued through service from Norfolk to Raleigh and Charlotte before the line was bought by the Southern Railway which is now part of the present day Norfolk Southern.  They had a 5 mile long trestle over the Albemarle sound which is gone now too.  Hence the reason for no through service.

later,

Ray

 

 

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by Zero Export on Friday, April 26, 2013 1:37 PM

Afternoon

RJ just what type of work do you do that entails getting in that type of situation?

I saw some thing on TV last night   SHRIMP and GRITS   apparently they eat that

a nice 70 ish degrees today

My buddy is breaking ground on his new house tommorow , and since he works for a huge  excavation company , he had them "Just bring One of Everything" out to the site. 

Gonna get started early and play on heavy equiptment all day. of coarse we'll be having some Beer while were doing it

slow day at work today.  I've seen funeral homes busier on a friday than we are today

Ryan

 

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Posted by RockIsland52 on Friday, April 26, 2013 2:37 PM

Ray.....although I wished her a Happy B-Day already, I hope your better half enjoyed the night out and the upcoming family celebration this weekend.Angel  Did she love the brandy new engines you bought her? Whistling  I can't believe that your wife admitted to missing any of the questions on her driver's license test because now you can tease her to death. Laugh 

I very much have enjoyed your accounts of your son's East coast road trip.  Many years ago my sisters and family made a similar trip 350 miles North from Chicago for a family reunion.  It was not too far from my deceased grandparents' homestead in Rib Lake Wisconsin (up by Rhinelander between Routes 51 and 13). 

So I suggested we take a detour to see what the old place looked like.  Everyone in my family was mortified that I would go up and ring the doorbell, thinking these folks didn't know us from Adam and would not take kindly to our stop.  I spent many a Summer there in my youth and remember with fondness many wonderful times there.  Of course, the family living there were quite accomodating.  And if they weren't, who cares? Stick out tongue

Jack

IF IT WON'T COME LOOSE BY TAPPING ON IT, DON'T TRY TO FORCE IT. USE A BIGGER HAMMER.

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Posted by submmbob on Friday, April 26, 2013 3:00 PM

Hello all

Still too many people here at the telescope. I'm hiding in the electronics shop right now.

Just a couple more days and we are off to New Mexico w/ all its attendant problems I'm sure. But it should be interesting and that's what they pay me for.

Working a bit of a different schedule so I haven't had a chance to try out the docksider yet.

Need to figure out how much money I don't have after last week and order that wheel cylinder.

Heard about a big factory fire in Bangladesh today on the radio. Sad.

Sounds like the kitchen has cleared out. Time to go find some breakfast.

Bob

Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)

Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 26, 2013 3:15 PM

I've been doing some more work on the Pathmark GP40. I straightened the short hood handrails, mounted handrails on both sides of the long hood and replaced the front handrail. I also mounted coupler cut levers on the front and rear. The next time I get such a wild idea to add such details to an old model like this will somebody please smack me with a 2x4?





Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, April 26, 2013 5:35 PM

All shook up tonight monday befor last house burnt tonight the house across the street burnt. Don't know how much more of this I can stand niether of these houses are more than 80 feet from mine. Sad

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Zero Export on Friday, April 26, 2013 6:21 PM

RT one but two.....    I understand the anxiety 

Ryan

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Posted by RedfireS197 on Friday, April 26, 2013 6:29 PM

rtraincollector

All shook up tonight monday befor last house burnt tonight the house across the street burnt. Don't know how much more of this I can stand niether of these houses are more than 80 feet from mine. Sad

RT,

       That would be scary.  I probably wouldn't be able to sleep for a long time after something like that. 

Jim

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, April 26, 2013 6:35 PM

rtraincollector

All shook up tonight monday befor last house burnt tonight the house across the street burnt. Don't know how much more of this I can stand niether of these houses are more than 80 feet from mine. Sad

RT,  Where I come from, and I think where SJ is from they call that urban renewal.  Laugh Keep your eyes open and be safe. Confused

 No train news. Worked in the yard most of the day. Mowed the northeast lot but the south side is tooooo wet. Maybe Sunday.

 Have a good night. 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by sir james I on Friday, April 26, 2013 6:37 PM

The temp is 57

RT glad your OK. Today we went out for an early meal, Almond Chicken did the job. I am full. But there is banilla for the Tardis crew...S.J.

"IT's GOOD TO BE THE KING",by Mel Brooks 

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Posted by RedfireS197 on Friday, April 26, 2013 6:44 PM

cnw1995



As an aside, I'm debating how to tackle a sudden blossoming of rust in the 13 year old minivan. Probably a bit more than I could grind down, primer and repaint myself...

Doug,

             If the paint is bubbling, the steel underneath will be weakened.  If it is isolated to one area, I'd find a shop that could cut out the affected steel and patch it.  Too many shops just knock it down and pile on filler. 

I attempted to repair the LH rocker on the 97 Probe, and it looked good for a while.  After some time, that rust came right back.  With 200K+ on it, I am not that concerned right now.  I don't want to see how it look under the side skirt thoughIck!

That's why I sent that other Probe to the crusher.  Once rust gets so far in, it becomes much more than just a cosmetic issue. 

Jim

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:00 PM

cnw1995

 As an aside, I'm debating how to tackle a sudden blossoming of rust in the 13 year old minivan. Probably a bit more than I could grind down, primer and repaint myself...

 Doug, I agree with JimmyT at 13 years old you have won the lottery! If you don't like the rust, Get rid of the thing. You have already got 4 more years than normal for IL. Trade it in and let them send it to Mexico, or those guys in N.C. Laugh, get something new that the AC works on. You will Never win the battle with IL. rust and salt. 

JMHO ,,,,and BTW  I am right. Wink 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Friday, April 26, 2013 7:55 PM

Long day.  Just got home.  Been working for the Town and County all day.  Time for Golden Boy and Blue Bloods.

Buckeye, told you us REBS have a cure for those pesty kidney stones.  We will use our big spike driving mall to break them up.  After a few licks, you will not feel a thing. Whistling

Doug M, to cure rust in a vehicle, move to the South.  Laugh

Later 

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Friday, April 26, 2013 8:59 PM

I hadn't intended on putting much into the Pathmark GP40 today. Well I guess it wasn't all that much, just stuff I had laying around. Both short hood handrails were fixed, the rear handrail was fixed. The front handrail and both handrails along the long hood were replaced. The stock couplers were replaced with Kadees. The old Bachmann train set drive was replaced with a new Bachmann GP38 drive with all-wheel pickup and drive and DCC. I then added coupler cut levers then started looking around for air and mu lines but then decided it was time to stick a fork in it. It was done. It's not a bad accomplishment for a day of goofing off. I still need to find a horn for it.

Here's a couple of photos I took a few minutes ago.





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

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
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Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, April 26, 2013 10:08 PM

Well its been another interesting day time to call it a night. Hope all have a good weekend. Talk to you all in the morning did get some more train track laid

coming along good

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by charliebrown on Friday, April 26, 2013 10:52 PM

Blueberryhill RR

R.j.   (charliebrown)...  I have bought a few things from T & K and have been satisfied with the prices and service.  I visited their store and was impressed.

Chuck

I watched a video they had on youtube of their layout. It is quite big. I found them through a search and they have the best price on the track I want. The other items are about the same.

 Question

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Posted by charliebrown on Friday, April 26, 2013 11:10 PM

Zero Export

RJ just what type of work do you do that entails getting in that type of situation?

I work for a company in the thumb of Michigan that has phone land line service,cellular service,dsl,and fixed wireless internet. I work in the area of wireless internet. usually I handle the equipment at the towers. Unfortunately the way things have worked out this past year we have no installers/service men. So I now wear three hats. I still handle tower equipment. I do the installs and service calls. Plus In the last couple years I have been trained in a proping software that gives us results of new builds before we do them.

Here are some shots of me on a 120 ft mono pole.




 Question

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Posted by Zero Export on Saturday, April 27, 2013 6:09 AM

good morning

RJ thats ALL you buddy,,,,,,, you wont see me up there.  Now I see why the roof job with all the crazy ladder configuring wasn't really a big deal for you.

Jeffery, just a thought, I would leave the paint on the Pathmark "as-is"   its just different, in a good way

KEV, good deal on the pt job.   we have a few companies that do that around here, but from talking to people I know that have worked for them, its not such a good deal, IE the one company has a policy, that if the vehicle your driving breaks down, you dont get paid for the run. and you may sit all day waiting for them to come get you.  now keep in mind most of this is runs of really used hard cars going from and to auction houses.

gotta run

Ryan

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Saturday, April 27, 2013 6:54 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill RR....

It is a sunny 42 degrees. Going up to 72 today with sunshine.

Today is an easy day. I have a few chores to do and then I can relax. I will do some reading and spend some time outside enjoying the weather.  A nap after lunch.

Nascar race and Indians' game tonite.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!

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