New December Coffee Pot. 10 years old. For those to visit and chat. Open to all. Besides coffee; soft drinks, water, oatmeal and GRITS.

[AF53]

RockIsland52

You and AF RAY had better hitch your wagon to a different team for the upcoming MLB seaon.

Absolutely NO WAY!

Been a fan since the sixties and I've been through worst times! (so have you)

[SPMan]

RockIsland52

RAY SP.......so where am I going to sleep when I get there, and do you have water wings for my Dobermans

Jack, I have extra room in an old 87 Buick parked behind the house with a cover on it for privacy.  The dogs can bunk with the four Collies next door.  Bring your own water wings.

Good evening all, we had a good lunch and train running fest this afternoon with all my train buddies.  We tried out one guys C&O Baldwin AS 616 proto 2 MTH recently aquired at a train meet;.  He does not have DCS so this is the first time he has been able to see all the features work on the engine.  DCS is great when it works.  He was duly impressed.  We are going to an open house tomorrow to visit the layout of one of the TTOS members in Pasadena who has invited anyone from the club.  He has a space 8 ft. X 32 Ft.  Nice long run.  I know this guy likes weathered engines, I'm talking black and grimy and lots of smoke while running four or more units at once.  I better bring my gas mask.

Watched a little of Trains and Locomotives on FAMNet channel tonight.  All about a 4-8-4 running on the Ohio Central.  I think it was a restored Grand Trunk engine.  Nice looking engine but they blew your ears off with too much whistle.  Thank goodness for mute control.

later,

Ray

[Demay]

Konbanwa and Ohayo Chuck,

Last night the wife and I ate at a local Japanese restaurant that makes American diner style food as well as pizzas and pastas.  I had some hamburger steak topped with a fried egg and bacon.  The wife had a pizza with spicy Italian salami.  It was a good meal.  I have not done much today except rake enough leaves to fill two large bags.  I’ll rake the remaining leaves next week sometime.  It was cold but sunny today so I grilled some pork chops and asparagus for dinner.  I also roasted some sweet potato fries in the oven.  Today’s mail contained the two boxes of 20” straights and two packages of insulating pins from RMT.  Hopefully tomorrow or next week I’ll be able to swap out some of the FasTrack that is on the UTB RR. 

Here is a photo of my new Lionel car:

Sayonara,

Joe

[Blueberryhill RR]

Something is not working. No selection

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill...... Good Morning, Joe, nice car. There is no tool bar to select print or color. Easy day today. Not much new. Y'all have a great Saturday, Chuck

[anjdevil2]

Quick stop in - working today.  Have a first alarmer neaby and my ladder is at the scene and engine is on standby at the Nottingham Station (17).

Busy yesterday, non stop until 610 PM - watta day...

Christmas was good, got a Ambush Shack from the parents (roadrunner and Wile E. Coyote by Lionel).

Neat little deal.  Goes with my Acme Gondola with roadrunner and coyote on it.

Cooked all day Christmas day and even my BIL liked the turkey. 

Off to work

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning,  again........

I have my computer back again. I can get emails as usual.

Sunny and 43 today.

Cheerios for breakfast.

Later...........

[SPMan]

Good morning all,

Had a big breakfast of bacon and eggs with frozen waffles and coffee.  Getting ready to visit an open house layout in Pasadena today with friends.  Larry is driving.  I called an old friend last night whom I haven't seen since before Christmas.  Wondered where he was?  Turns out he had been in the hospital for about a week and is home now.  He is still very weak he says and staying in bed.  Did not press him for details but I know he has a lot of serious issues with health going on.  He is one of the most knowledgable people about toy train collecting I know and has a huge collection.   We talked about how things have changed so much in collecting.  I for one have been out of the "collecting business" for some time now.  That is, I just buy scale looking trains that I like to run.  I had a small post war collection at one time and some prewar O gauge as well.  I sold most of that stuff when I got into modern trains.  Nowadays, you just buy trains, run the heck out of them, and sell them if you want when you get tired of them for about a third of what you paid.  Modern trains don't appreciate but I get my moneys worth in running them.

Nothing new about the Big Boy lately.  Last I heard, they were going to move it out of the fairground on January 26th.

later,

Ray

 

[RockIsland52]

The grandkiddies are watching Hotel Transylvania and that has followed The Princess Diaries.  Summary:  the television is NOT going to figure into my plans tonight.  BUT down the hall and around the corner in the living room the trains are sleeping.  I feel compelled to awaken them and give them some exercise.  :-)   Jack.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Nice visit with wife's sister and then with Lucas.  He even took us out to eat at Fazzoli's, which was a nice surprise so he is at least some money ahead.  My older daughter may have gotten some good news financially, but we will have to see if it all pans out.  Weather was good today.  Traffic was heavy on I-70.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[8ntruck]

The weather warmed up for a day or two. The warmer weather is melting the ice out of the trees and off of the wires. This should help the crews working to get the power back. Had Christmas dinner with my wife's family today - our traditional spaghetti dinner with about 18 people. On a somber note, my wife's grand dad was not there this year. He passed away about a week before Christmas. We started our holiday travel early to attend his funeral last week. On our way to Kentucky by way of north west Indiana to visit our kids. About all for now.

[ChiefEagles]

Home again.  Rain on the way.  Was so warm today, had to were only shirt sleeves till 4:30.  That was from a low of 25 with super frost.  Why I now have sore throat.

Plenty of does and one button.  Poor stupid BIG fox ran straight at my stand.  Will not describe what a .30-06 did to him.

Super tired.  Walked to every feeder, camera and stand with rifle on shoulder, backpack on back and a partial bag of corn on other shoulder.  That was miles.

Good night all.

PS: had this email waiting.

INTERESTING---THE GREY GHOST!    

You never know how your life will affect another.  Read his story all the way to the end - an interesting tidbit......

Colonel John S. Mosby, the Grey Ghost         The Grey Ghost   John S. Mosby was a successful attorney, and with the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in the 1st Virginia Cavalry. He quickly moved up through the ranks, and eventually raised his own partisan unit. At first a battalion, his prowess and charisma allowed him to recruit it up to a regiment. The regiment became known as the famed "Mosby Raiders".   John Mosby was a key innovator in the tactics of Guerilla warfare. By 1863 his exploits were becoming legendary in the South, and viewed as a less than honorable way to fight by the North. Regardless of perspective he devised a new way of fighting by which a small agile force could harass and defeat a much larger force. In lightning fast raids, his raiders would move in and cut telegraph lines, ambush couriers or small parties, start fires, harass rail transport, and then disappear into the night. His quickness and stealth led to his now famous nickname, "The Grey Ghost".   Mosby’s exploits included a daring raid far inside Union lines at the Fairfax County courthouse in 1863, where his raiders captured some key Union officers, including General Stoughton, whom Mosby found in bed, waking him with a slap to his rear. Upon being so roused, the general exclaimed, "Do you know who I am?" Mosby quickly replied, "Do you know Mosby, general?" "Yes! Have you got the rascal?" "No but he has got you!"   The disruption of supply lines and the constant disappearance of couriers frustrated Union commanders to such a degree that General Phil Sheridan ordered the execution of all captured raiders. George A. Custer did execute several of Mosby’s men in 1864 in Front Royal, Virginia.   Often large forces were sent against him, but he always evaded and frequently defeated them. During the battle of Chancellorsville he attacked a Union cavalry unit, capturing several hundred prisoners. Near Chantilly, he defeated a large body of Union cavalry, leading General Lee to exclaim: "Hurrah for Mosby! I wish I had a hundred like him."   Near Dranesville, with 65 men, he defeated 200 of the enemy and captured 83 prisoners. One of his most daring adventures was a reconnaissance in the Federal lines, by order of General Lee, after the battle of Chancellorsville, in which he and one companion captured six men, and with two of them, rode undetected past a column of Federal cavalry.   He was also a vital element in the Confederate secret service, moving spies into and out of Washington; he frequently rode himself in disguise into the capital. Once while in Washington, Mosby sent of a lock of his hair to Abraham Lincoln as a gift. It is reported that Lincoln’s keen sense of humor fully appreciated the gesture. Mosby and his notorious raiders refused to surrender at the end of the war. While the group disbanded, they never surrendered.   Mosby spent his later years in San Francisco with friends and family. One particular family lived nearby with a young boy. The boy would often come over and eagerly listen to the stories of the old Grey Ghost. Mosby would entertain the young boy with tales of his gallant exploits and daring raids. The two became fast friends and would play war games outside. Mosby taught the young boy the secrets of Guerilla warfare. He taught him to fight like a raider, to fight like a guerilla.   The young boy was George S. Patton.

  

[Demay]

Konnichiwa and Ohayo Chuck,

We had Sunday school and church this morning and I’m going to spend the rest of the day on the couch.  I’ll probably do some reading and also watch the UFC fights I recorded.  I’ll need to get to bed early tonight as I go back to work tomorrow after having the past week off.

Sayonara,

Joe

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill.......

Good Morning,  Joe..........

It is a rainy 36 degrees.  Going up to 44 today with rain all day.

Today is an easy day.  I plan on spending a few hours in the train room and enjoying myself. Then, lunch and a nice nap.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[M. Mitchell Marmel]

Great story, Chief!  Hope your sore throat clears up soon.   Pity that it's no longer done to fly a fox tail from one's car antenna...  ;-)

Mitch

[traindaddy1]

Grey Ghost? Thought it was about my Metal Detector Headphones! Surprise. Great story. Thanks for sharing.

[SPMan]

Great story Frank about John Mosby. I read something about him in Shelby Foote's Civil War Trilogy.

Kind of neat how he thumbed his nose at the Yankees by denying them the priviledge of accepting his surrender.  As the story goes, he just told everybody to go home and never surrendered his unit.

Went to train layout open house in Pasadena yesterday.  Big layout about 5 ft. X 32 ft.  It ran through a garage to an extension built on the back of the garage.  Lots of animated stuff as well as the trains.  Had carnival rides, oil fields, tank farms and more things than I can think of.  Model airplanes and stuff overhead as well.  A buffet lunch was offered too.  Very nice.

Sad news this morning.  We have just heard that one of our nieces has passed away in New Hampshire.  She was only about 50 something I'm guessing.  Don't know the details yet but I think there will be an autopsy.

later,

Ray

[ChiefEagles]

Gurgle Gurgle.  Rain has finally gone.  Sunny skies.  When it rained, it poured.  That is an understatement.  Woods will be flooded tomorrow afternoon when I return to the farm.  Hunting tomorrow afternoon and Tues.  Coming home for New Years eve and to start a 2014 Pot.  Not hunting the last day of the season [Jan 1].   Made Sunday School and they thought I was a visitor.

Wifey and I are out to WalMart and In-laws.  Just came back from taking her to lunch and shopping.

I like the Paton part.  I thing Paton was one of the greatest generals and Eisenhower got the credit. 

Later. 

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Cloudy and wet today.  Worked on small O-27 layout to have third set of trains for the grandkids tomorrow.  Had to give up on Scout engine as turns were too tight.  Using Alaska tank engine instead.  Runs pretty good.  Not much else going on.  Did watch end of Chargers game.  When I used to care about American football, I did follow them to a certain extent.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[RockIsland52]

George Patton bought property in South Hamilton Ma. in the late 1920s, and that was the family home when he passed.  His wife continued to live there after his death, and his son became a farmer at the estate after he himself retired from the military.  The family donated a plot dedicated as Patton Park to the town of Hamilton.  There is a tank and artillery pieces there.  The park is about four miles from my home, North and a tad West.   Jack.

[RockIsland52]

Ray SP......I was saddened to hear of the sudden loss of your niece.  I will include her and your family in my prayers.  Jack.

[Demay]

Konnichiwa and Ohayo Chuck,

I went for a 5-mile run this morning.  It was about 35 degrees when I started and the run was a little harder than usual due to not exercising for about 10 days and eating too much over the holiday.  The workday wasn’t too bad for being off for a week, but I did have a computer issue that prevented me from accomplishing all my tasks.   The issue should be resolved tomorrow.  I did catch some good football games during the day; I knew my Dolphins would let me down.  It’s time to make some dinner now.

SP Ray – I’m sorry for the loss of your niece.  You and your family will be in my prayers. 

Sayonara,

Joe

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill..........

Good Morning,  Joe........

It is 28 degrees and very cloudy. Going up to 32 today with cloudy skies.

Today is a busy day. Wife has a few errands to run and I have a lot of chores around the house.  Busy until lunch.  Then a nice nap.

Dining car is here with Cheerios for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Sunny and real warm.  Errands and then east to hunt until tomorrow night.  Wed. ends deer season but not hunting that day.

Ray, sorry for your loss.

Have a great week.

[RockIsland52]

Just a quick splash and go.......preparations for New Years Eve are on the agenda as we have family and friends over for the evening.  An hors duevres and munchies affair, no serious food.  Three days of single digits temperatures arerolling in (daily low).  So we can use the garage and deck as giant refrigerators!!!!!  We encourage folks to bring their children so that they can all be together and celebrate the event.  That works out great as long as the parents keep tabs on their little ones.  Unfortunately, you can always tell which families let their little ones run wild at home without any "guidance."  I will probably have to hide my trains (presently under the tree) and put the remotes where the little ones cannot reach them.    I don't like to be the Grinch but will step in and enforce law and order if the parents don't.  My wif

[RedfireS197]

RockIsland52

Just a quick splash and go.......preparations for New Years Eve are on the agenda as we have family and friends over for the evening.  An hors duevres and munchies affair, no serious food.  Three days of single digits temperatures arerolling in (daily low).  So we can use the garage and deck as giant refrigerators!!!!!  We encourage folks to bring their children so that they can all be together and celebrate the event.  That works out great as long as the parents keep tabs on their little ones.  Unfortunately, you can always tell which families let their little ones run wild at home without any "guidance."  I will probably have to hide my trains (presently under the tree) and put the remotes where the little ones cannot reach them.    I don't like to be the Grinch but will step in and enforce law and order if the parents don't.  My wif

Jack,

          I had to do the same thing on Christmas day since my cousins' kids seem to have no discipline whatsoever.  They just run wild and do whatever they want.  All I knew was that I wouldn't be the one paying to replace anything that was damaged.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Jack,  Why don't you keep the unruly kids on the deck or in the garage?  It would seem to solve many problems.   

[SPMan]

ChiefEagles

I like the Paton part.  I thing Paton was one of the greatest generals and Eisenhower got the credit. 

Later. 

Frank, Gen. Patton is my favorite WWII  General too.  His boyhood home is here in San Gabriel not too far from me.  The church his family were members of have a statue of him in front of the church.  My sister was a care giver once for an elderly WWII Colonel who knew George Patton.  I enjoyed listening to him talk about Patton.  I had an uncle, now deceased, who served under Patton in North Africa but my uncle was captured in Sicily I think and sat out the rest of the war in a POW camp.

Ray

[fifedog]

Evenin' y'all.  Cloudy & 41 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Just got back from visiting my folks up in the WV mountains.  Ate real good.  Checked on my property on the way back, and while walking around my 10 acres, heard the diesel horn of a South Branch Valley RR train.  A nice break in the otherwise silence.

Banks -  Schedule has been revised for Spring of '15.  That'll give me an even 30, at which time I'll hang'em up.

SPMan - Sorry about the niece.

[rtraincollector]

RockIsland52

Just a quick splash and go.......preparations for New Years Eve are on the agenda as we have family and friends over for the evening.  An hors duevres and munchies affair, no serious food.  Three days of single digits temperatures arerolling in (daily low).  So we can use the garage and deck as giant refrigerators!!!!!  We encourage folks to bring their children so that they can all be together and celebrate the event.  That works out great as long as the parents keep tabs on their little ones.  Unfortunately, you can always tell which families let their little ones run wild at home without any "guidance."  I will probably have to hide my trains (presently under the tree) and put the remotes where the little ones cannot reach them.    I don't like to be the Grinch but will step in and enforce law and order if the parents don't.  My wif

 

Jack my father had a cure for that and only had to use it once. he ask said parents to get control of them or it will be time to go well they blew dad off dad told them its time for your family to leave I asked to control them you ignored me so it time all of you to go. ( other families applauded my father as they saw the whole thing and knew he ment what he said he did tell them if you think you can now control your children I will give you another chance they left so that told everyone they couldn't.

Ray sorry for your lost.

 

Wow never had that happen befor stop posting in the middle of a post to up load some pics to computer and then to photobucket  well was fine there added them to the post here they showed up all fine hit post and every thing from where I stopped to the the end of the post was gone even my signing off to you all well will try again

Did get a couple of pics of the chiefs cabin at the lake all decorated for Christmas

 

 

you all have a good night