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April Coffee Pot 2016. 12 YEARS OLD APRIL 1. Wonderful grits and sweet ice tea for the southern gents. Coffee and oatmeal for the Yanks. Locked

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Monday, April 11, 2016 7:34 PM

Good evening,

Saw our fist Hummingbird just about 15 minutes ago, kind of early for here but you can't miss them. Sandra is fixing a feeder already,,,,,,,,LOL

I did not like the MPC or whatever they were ALCOs with the open front under the coupler. I know they all seemed to get broken out anyway but they looked like they were broken right out of the box.  Smile, Wink & GrinSmile, Wink & Grin

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by cheapclassics on Monday, April 11, 2016 9:15 PM

Good evening all,

Doug M., I hear you on watching the games on Telemundo.   The announcers seem much more interested in the match.   Quiet day at work.  Pain one was gone so that helped as well.  Got the federal taxes done.   I hope there is no issue with them, but one never knows.  Watched Jane the Virgin tonight.   Some MPC stuff is pretty good, and some leaves something to be desired.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by Banks on Monday, April 11, 2016 9:33 PM

Hello there

sir james I

Granny got home this PM I am heading to York.

S.J.

 

Everyone enjoy York.  I've opted to skip it this time. Just don't feel comfortable leaving Mom with caregivers in case decisions need made. After several hours in ER she was sent home last night.  can't find anything wrong but she ain't the same person she was a couple weeks ago. Enjoy  yourselves and post lots of pictures. I'm planning on October. My bid is ready all but some vendor costs.

off to bed .

Prayers for those in need 

Banks, Proud member of the OTTS  TCA 12-67310

  

   

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 7:41 AM

Wake up.

Bright sunshine but only 29 degrees. High will be 50, and that won't feel to bad with the sun. They are calling for 70s by Saturday. Bring it please.

Not to much going on today, may work some more on the high and low spots of the lane  trying to get it as level as possible.

I do have to make a run to Walmart to get some meds. Maybe pick up lunch when I am out and cop a hair cut. Not sure.

Looks like my turnout and gooseneck lamps are lost in the mail somewhere in TN.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by sir james I on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 7:46 AM

The guys should be here in about 45 minutes.Then it's off to see the Wizard.

Banks sorry we will not see you, hope your mom will be ok.

S.J.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:33 AM

Aloha. Brrrr. Still cold at 0-dark-30. Safe travels to all Yorkies. Glad to hear from JohnF. Looking forward to seeing the York photo. Hope you are feeling better, JT. The youngest was invited into his junior high honor society but didn't want to tell the bride and me because he didn't like their extra meetings and volunteer opportunities. This will be an opportunity to have a little chat about serving. Sigh. Ran Ivor last night too while listening to the Cubs game. I'm a White Sox fan but I'll listen to any baseball.

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

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Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 9:08 AM

Good Morning All!

Best wishes for all those getting ready or on their way to York!  Hope you all find everything at the prices you like.  I feel one of the best benefits of York is all the after market and 3rd party suppliers there.  There is sooooo much uniques stuff and ideas available.

Doug M, Your right I remember a lot of the Scandanavian influence around the area, and especially the Swedish near Rockford.  Of all the places I've been I still like Scandanvia best.  I had a 2 week business trip that took me to Sweden, Finland and Denmark about 20 years ago.  Driving in Helsinki was fun, and all the Suanas were interesting.

Work on the Dr's layout continues, got the Signal Bridge up and running using isolated tracks, relays and a couple of Bridge Rectifiers, works well.  Also did a couple of Semaphores and Block Lights.  That was interesting installing on an enclosed grade.  Today, install some operating track sections and a couple of control towers.  Going to have to see about shimming up some switch motors.  The small track screws, just don't have a chance.  After they go through the ties, then foam road bed, and only thing left is a 1" thick foam layer.  Nothing to secure them too, and cant use a much bigger screw.  So think I will see about putting some popsicle sticks below the switches and give them a half chance of holding.

Kev, sounds like the driveway keeps you busy, how do you keep it from spreading wider and wider and wider? 

Well take care all and be Safe!

Don

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 10:19 AM

dbaker48

 Kev, sounds like the driveway keeps you busy, how do you keep it from spreading wider and wider and wider? 

 

Don, that is a problem. More from plowing snow than spreading new gravel. The only way I know is raking it back in and that is what I do. The grader scraper I use has sides and will keep the gravel inside the sides so that works pretty good. It has two blades that the gravel boils up and over and they are pitched to the center for building a crown on the drive. The snowplow will pick up gravel in the snow and it will end up in the grass. So every spring I have to do some raking. I try to keep the plow up some so it won’t pick up so much gravel but there is always some. The guy that delivered the loads did a fine job of tailgating the gravel out of the truck as he drove down the center of the drive but it is never perfect.
Went and picked up the meds and got all my hairs cut and she did my eyebrows to. So I won’t look like Andy Rooney used to.  Laugh
Safe travels to the Yorker and have fun.  Smile

Here is a link to the scraper Grader I use. Ours is the 60" model. works nice.

http://www.landpride.com/products/82/gs15-series-grading-scrapers

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 5:49 PM

Evening all, not much happening today helped wife do a couple of things but other than that sat on my butt basically. Laugh No real news from this part of the world. just a quick drop by 

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

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 8:18 PM

Good Evening from clear and cool Southern Ohio,

I finished the locker cabinet for the utility room.  I’ll bring it into the utility room Wednesday or Thursday.  Bride will find the coat hooks she wants.

 

Wednesday after Mass there is a funeral so I’m not sure how much time I’ll have.  Baseball will take up the evening.

 

Bob - The AF chuf and the smell of the “smoke” brings a flood of memories!

 

JTrains - I bribed Gabriel with his own layout; which was a test track oval/circle on some plywood with indoor outdoor grass.  I still have it and use it, with his permission of course.

 

John F - Good to see you back.  I was gone for a while and came back last fall early winter.

 

Kev - Hummingbirds already?  What keeps the sugar water from freezing?

 

Mike - We finished our taxes last night; with the layoff severance, and casing in vacation it socked our taxes this year.  Praise God we had to share with the government.

 

Banks - Tough decision but you do what you got to do sometimes.  You’re a good son

 

Good night and may God bless

Jim

 

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Posted by cheapclassics on Tuesday, April 12, 2016 9:25 PM

Good evening all,

Got state taxes done and watched Izombie two hour finale.   All sorts of loose ends for next season, which is a good thing.   Work was eventually ok today.  Went for a walk and heel was acting up.  Weather finally dry.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 8:59 AM

Good morning,

40 heading to 60 with lots of sun, no freezing temps in site for the next week. no plans to speak of. Things are slowly drying out. Cat wants to stay outside, that is a good sign.

Phish, That is the question I asked the wife. She said it was under the porch roof so it would be good. She only put out one of the 4 feeders. It is the earliest I can remember seeing one. We have 100s here in the summer. Many come back year after year.. Sandra has names for some of them. Cat thinks they are a tastey treat. Devil

 

V8 glad you getting the Integra GSR finished up. That tax is nuts.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:19 AM

Kevin we have two feeders we put out each year in Columbia we had two who would fight over control of both feeders and they were about 30 feet away from each other. I think they did more controlling than eating lol

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:23 AM

rtraincollector

Kevin we have ttwo feeds we put out each year in Columbia we had two who would fight over control of both feeders and they were about 30 feet away from each other. I think they did more controlling than eating lol

 

RT and Jim, Here is a neat link to their migration.

http://www.hummingbirds.net/map.html

 

 

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by dbaker48 on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:30 AM

Good Morning,

Kev,  I know you use to work for Cat, with all the work that is required to support a place with acerage, I don't know how you guys are able to do both.  Us city slickers have it easy in comparison!

All went well on the layout yesterday, getting down to the "short" llist of remaining tasks. Will try to get to the turntable today and see what that is going to entail.  I was really surprised yesterday, the Dr. has an engine he got in 2008.  He never took it out of the box to inspect or anything.  The front truck was dangling and the cab had some broken struts.  He took it to a train shop for repair, the tech told him that someone had previously taken it apart, and it appears that the wrong engine body on!  The engine is suppose to be a Legacy engine but is TMCC.  Also the shipping box had multiple shipping labels, as if it had previously been shipped to someone else, returned, and reshipped to the Dr.  I didn't think he would get any positive response from anyone, due to the time frame.  But, he contacted Lionel and the major mail order house he ordered it from.  Surprisingly they told him to return the engine and box to them.  I was amazed they just didn't say "Sorry".

Not much else going on, got to get on the taxes, REAL SOON!  Hope everyone has a great day, and no issues for the York travellers.

Take care and be SAFE.

Don

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 1:38 PM

Done,,,,,,,,,,,,,  Graded flat and level with a nice crown. Then rolled it out for about an hour in all directions with Jim's 60" 600 lb +  roller. It is sweet if I do say so for myself.

Don, you are right it is a lot of work but it is good work. I was a city slicker for 31 years in our first house living on a postage stamp in Plainfield. I could cut the grass with the push mower and drink a beer in under 20 minutes. Smile, Wink & Grin

When I was young my grand-pa had the farm that my Uncle ran and I spent a lot of time there up till grand-pa passed when I was 15. Grand-pa had a house in town. 

My dad farmed till my mom got sick in 57 then after mom passed away in 59 my dad moved to town but we had a large yard and an empty lot accross the street that we took care of till they sold it. There are + and - to both lifestyles. There will be a day I will end up back in town I bet.

My gooseneck lamps and the turnout came today. To nice outside to worry about them. It can waite till it rains. Storm

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by submmbob on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 3:08 PM

Hello all

Nice warm day here in the Ol' Pueblo. Hailed yesterday just before I left the mountain so part of the road was slush. Prob turned into an ice rink this morning. Warned my co-worker to take it easy in the morning. Hope he got down ok.

Kev - your hummingbird stories remind me of field camp in SE Arizona. There were a ton around the ranch we stayed at and they put out feeders (something like 90% of the birds in the Western Hemisphere can be seen within a 200 mile radius of Tucson). The big one, the Martha's or Rufus, was very protective about the feeders and would chase the smaller ones off. They learned and would gang up to distract it and while it was chasing one group the rest would come in to feed. It was like the Battle of Britain w/ hummingbirds!

So it turns out our mechanic's son's birthday is this Saturday, so I going to give him one of my Marx sets. Gotta make some room for the Flyer:)

Off to pick up a carb kit for one of the buses soon and then over to Bill's to start rebuilding it and put in the window regulator in the Datsun.

Found a guy in Tucson parting out a '76 truck that I am going to pull the exhaust manifold off of plus the smog pump stuff in case I do ending up needing it. Current manifold is off an earlier truck or 510 and the angle is all wrong on the headpipe. It has a nice little rumble of an exhaust leak:)

 

Bob

Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)

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Posted by Buckeye Riveter on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 3:16 PM

Everyone have a great and safe trip to York.  Hope to be there this fall.

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

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Posted by SPMan on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 6:13 PM

Sounds like you had a great trip Don.  I like Solvang too.

Took a tour yesterday of a long term care facility for my wife.  It is a faith based hospital run by the Carmelite order and trained lay people.  The place was beautiful and would qualify for my long term health insurance after I pay the first three months myself.  They only had one concern about her dementia although they do care for Alzheimer patients.  They want to make sure that she is not a "wonderer" since they are not a secure facility.  But with my wife's back problem, I don't think she could get very far.  I fell in love with this place the minute I saw it.  I pray that she can get admitted when the time comes.

My number two son's May 7th wedding is fast approaching.  I had to buy a new suit for the occasion since I have "outgrown"  my old clothes.  Looks like Helen will be unable to go I'm afraid though.

We had a nice rain here a few days ago.  The flowers all around are blooming their hearts out.  Smells like a perfume factory.  I love it.

later,

Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by Banks on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 6:40 PM

Sturgeon-Phish
Kev - Hummingbirds already? What keeps the sugar water from freezing? .

Hello there,

Sugar will keep the freezing point really low. Ever have a slushy?

Got my bid done. 4.5 meg. Hope to get it. If it runs as scheduled it will take me within a year of retardment.

Buckeye...hope t see you in October

Best move on.

 

Prayers for those in need

Banks, Proud member of the OTTS  TCA 12-67310

  

   

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Posted by cheapclassics on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 9:35 PM

Good evening all,

Semi-busy day at work.  Nice walk at noon.  Weather is good.  Had contractor over to look at the kitchen ceiling and other related items.  Kitchen is the only room we have not done a major makeover besides wallpaper and flooring.  Hopefully we will get a reasonable estimate.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Thursday, April 14, 2016 8:04 AM

Good morning,

42, sunny and will be mid 60s later. Nice out there. No plans but to wash the truck. Maybe it will stay clean for more than a day.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, April 14, 2016 11:20 AM

Morning still barely. Weedeated yard will cut later. Need to get some more garden soil for the flower bed then that one will be done. Need truck for some supplies for the next one 

Not much else going on here today high of 67 today already 63 I think it might get higher than they are saying. 

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

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Posted by cheapclassics on Thursday, April 14, 2016 8:56 PM

Good evening all,

Good day at work.  Pain two was not there.   Did some errands tonight.  Balanced Checkbook.  Changed oil in big mower.  Will mow tomorrow night.  Feet still giving me fits.  Weather is finally nice.   I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by dbaker48 on Friday, April 15, 2016 12:06 AM

Hmmmmm, I know I did a post this morning, but apparently I didn't hit the "Submit" button.  Didn't have any content that was important, so I guess no foul.

Ray, that is great about finding the housing for Helen, maybe some good luck is finally headed your way!  Certainly is well deserved!

Have ben having an interesting time with the Drs layout.  He wants Legacy and conventional ONLY, obviously his choice but it would be less costly to add DCS in the mix.  The primary issue has been incorporating 34 Ross Switches and 38 various accessories.  The cost of the ASC2 units is what really is driving the price up.  Anyway Z-Stuff has a $20 unit that will add the switches to the CAB-2 Remote, and will support an infinite number of switches.  (Must be DZ2500 switch motors, however.)  Got the unit and programmed with all the switches, the unit really works well.  The DZ2500 has 6 wires though and was somewhat of a pain to get connected.  This unit plugs in the back of the Legacy Base, and has a provision for pluging another serial device into the rear of it.  Suppose to be able to plug the cable for the accessories.  The accessories all worked, but the switches would not, Tongue Tied.  Z stuff sent me a replacement unit, but it had a different issue. Received the 3rd one today, and it acts just like the first.  Z-Stuff has been very helpful, but of course they are at York now.  So I picked up a DB-9 Splitter cable.  Maybe, it will work if they are connected in parallel instead of serial.  Will find out tomorrow.

Not much else going on, want to make sure I get this one posted.

Have a great day all!!

Don

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, April 15, 2016 7:43 AM

Mornin' boys.  Sunny annnnnd 50 in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Received Greenberg's Postwar repair "bible", as well as a TM dvd on servicing Lionel.  Middle princess also gave me dvd's Magnificent 7, 3:10 to Yuma, and Meet Joe Black.  Taking some extra cash to YORK in a few minutes.

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, April 15, 2016 7:48 AM

Good morning,

Nice out there again today, 44 heading to the low 70s. Things are really drying out. Washed the truck yesterday. It had a ton of crushed gravel fines packed in the wheel wells. Glad I cleaned it.

Weeds are taking off. Put the heated birdbath and cat water bowl away and set up both of the concrete birdbaths. Un-covered the AC compressor for the house and put away the snow shovel. Most of the trails in the woods have dried up enough to travel on but two. Made a deal with Jim next door where instead of him paying me for his part of the gravel I had laid down he is going to buy and haul that amount of gravel with his gooseneck trailer to freshen up some of the bad spots on the north end of the lane. 

Don, can you take pictures of the Doctor's layout your working on? It sounds neat.

Well have a good one and those at York, enjoy!

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Friday, April 15, 2016 10:21 AM

Good Morning from beautiful sunny and warm (62F) Southern Ohio,

TGIF 

I got the cabinet I made into the utility room yesterday and got it mounted and the coat hooks installed. My bride likes it. Doing some touch-ups on it today and hopefully be done with it so I can remove the old wall cabinets in the utility room which were recycled from a kitchen remodel years ago, paint and rearrange and hang them next week before I go back to work.  Bride is ordering a new counter top and sink. I'll probably make the base cabinet.

I had to re-submit all my information to reinstate my security clearance and I'll need to have another physical. It's crazy, different divisions of the same company and they don't transfer information.

KRM - Sounds like a win-win between you and your neighbor

Don - the doc's layout sounds interesting.

Dennis - They allow shooting in California? Whistling

Ray - Finding the housing must be a huge relief

Yorkies! Have a good time and if they're giving away any American Flyer pick it up and send it to me!

May God bless

Jim

 

 

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Friday, April 15, 2016 5:28 PM

dbaker48

Hmmmmm, I know I did a post this morning, but apparently I didn't hit the "Submit" button.  Didn't have any content that was important, so I guess no foul.

 

That is what happens when your mind goes. Whistling

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Posted by SPMan on Friday, April 15, 2016 5:44 PM

Good afternoon all,

My friend Larry took me out to lunch today.  I enjoyed the time away from the usual problems.

Had a meeting yesterday with care facility people where Helen is now.  I found out that my secondary insurance is better than I thought after medicare runs out.  This will give my more time to locate a permanent facility.  If the one I like does not accept her, I have a good back up plan that I discovered today and recommended by the hospital.  I have an appointment to talk to them and take a tour next week.

Hopefully, things are beginning to look up.

Thanks for the prayers,

Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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