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DECEMBER COFFEE POT HO HO HO Hot coffee with grits for the good Southerners and oatmeal for the Yanks. Locked

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Posted by rtraincollector on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 10:56 PM

Here is the tree so far 

  And here is what I found in it tonight 

Can't wait to see what happens when I add the Christmas bulbs lol. 

 

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

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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:56 AM

Mornin' boys.  Cloudy & 34 in the Potonac Valley.  Big day here, as middle princess is purchasing her first new car.  But first we have to scoot down to DOT in Romney to get her license changed.  Fifey has to remember to pick up a driver's handbook for youngest princess. Surprise

After my coffee shop visit yesterday, drove over to the crossing at Patterson Creek Village to watch an eastbound CSX stack train.  Then scooped up Wifey to take a ride up to Deep Creek for some Christmas shopping.  On the way up 135 near Swanton, we entered a frozen wonderland.  The area received a coating of ice that stayed on the trees, and with the sun shining was just awesome to view.  Picked up the Dept 56 North Pole DQ stand, and the gals at the Christmas Chalet wanted to see pics of our layout, and asked lots of questions as to our scenery techniques.  Wifey also picked up a cute black bear statue for the fireplace (yes, we've sold out the flamingos for bears at the new fifedom).

 

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:43 AM

Cloudy and chilly good morning. 50 degrees.

Tree trimmers finishing up what they didn't get several weeks ago. Done a great job.

Phone all morning. Charter Academy opening being delayed until 2018. We thought you sure are going to do a fast build to meet August 2017. Some fighting about one Commissioner not being able to make the Friday in February budget workshop. Insisting on a Saturday. In the past, all have taken off work to attend. Children.

More errands today. Leaves will wait until tomorrow. Hopefully drier.

Yanks in MI sending cold air this way.

Ray, go get you an artificial tree already decorated.  One of those table top thingys.  Then sit and listen to the music.

I think Fifey enjoying retirement too much.

Have a good one.

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

              

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:26 AM

17 heading to 25,,maybe.

Made up for not sleeping yesterday, slept like a rock.

Going to rotate some stock later today on the layout.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Demay on Thursday, December 8, 2016 2:07 PM

Good evening all,

Today, the wife and I returned home from our trip to Italy.  It was a fun and busy week.  I worked most of the time but fortunately had enough time to enjoy some great sightseeing and food with the wife.  We had plenty of time to explore Rome which has something exciting to see everywhere you turn.  Hopefully I can post some photos and more specifics about the trip over the weekend.

I'm sorry about the losses some of you experienced this past week and I will pray for all of us in need. 

Good night,
Joe

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Posted by Penny Trains on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:24 PM

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Thursday, December 8, 2016 5:40 PM

Slow day,

Scored a nice starter RTR DINOSAUR DSL LIONCHIEF set for under $100.00 delivered for the three year old grand son today from Charles Ro. I think he will like it. Looks easy to set on the rails so should work out. We can test it out on our lay out here Christmas eve. Wink

 

Does anyone know if this will run conventional as well as with the remote?

I know you can run it off the regular transformer with the remote but wonder if you can run it off the transformer without the remote??  Huh?

RIP John Glenn!

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by sir james I on Thursday, December 8, 2016 7:55 PM

Lionchief will only run with the remote. Lionchief plus will run either way. Both will run off of any AC transformer at 18 volts.

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

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Posted by cheapclassics on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:34 PM

Good evening all,

Good day at work.  Got some long festering issues mostly resolved today.  Some fine tuning is needed, but should be ok soon.   Walk was very brisk today.  Taking Friday off.  There is a 3 hour office event that we were supposed to attend if we were at work.   Did not appeal to me and most of the people in my area would not be there to do any work so it was a "free" day to take off and not get behind.   Gots lots to do at home anyway.  Wife is doing better and she even cooked tonight, but I still cleaned up afterward.   Hope to get tree up tomorrow and cards done.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by SPMan on Thursday, December 8, 2016 10:47 PM

Chief, pre decorated table top tree sounds good.

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, December 9, 2016 6:13 AM

TGIF boys. 27 with occasional flurries along the Patterson Creek cutoff.  Nothing "planned" for me today.  Middle Princess very, very happy with her new Tuscon now parked in Bay 1 at Fifedom.  Wifey very, very happy with young salesman...  More on that in the future, maybe.

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Friday, December 9, 2016 8:54 AM

TGIF from cloudy 26°F Southern Ohio.

Renewed the tags on the Civic and the Truck, $114, and my CCW $50.  I received a notice for jury duty Monday.  I had originally had scheduled my oral board and final exam for another qualification at work and spent most of this week preparing for it.  Oh well, it is a citizen’s duty to serve when called.

The girls, Felicity and Kalie have their big show this weekend; 5 performances of “The Nutcracker”.  They both have different scenes they perform in.  

May God have mercy on the soul of John Glenn, an American Hero.

 

Mike - Bet you’re glad wife feeling better.

Ray - Good news about Helen

 

May God bless  

 

Jim

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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, December 9, 2016 9:09 AM

T.G.I.F. 

If it was a squirrel my cats would of had it. 

No big news for today I have 2 packages coming in :)  one is the N.Y.C. train set ( just engine and cars no track or transformer ( but don't really need that either.) the other is some n guage stuff I want. I have decided since there isn't much room in here I'm going to make a n scale layout , will keep all my O as there on the shelves. And when I finally can make the garage into the train room I will then concentrate on O again. I'm going to make a 30" L shape layout here in the room. Just a temporary setback but It will come along soon enough. Have to run trains. I figure I can use it in my O gauge layout as a train in the distance or a kiddie ride train or both lol.I may keep it as my inside layout also, who knows, we will see. 

Hope all doing well. 

Made chocolate chip cookies last night.  :) 

Talk to you all later

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

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, December 9, 2016 9:40 AM

Good morning,
Well After I ordered that dinosaur train from Charles Ro, RT sent me a link where Lionel had the same set $30.00 less. This set list for $174.95 and they had it for $60.00 I would think they charged Charles Ro more than that for it. Bang Head Bang Head
 So first thing this morning I called the good people at Charles Ro and they canceled my order because they could not match that price and I re-ordered if from Lionel.
 They were not happy with Lionel and the guy said his boss was on the phone with Lionel about it.  Angry
Just hope I don't end up with two sets. Surprise
Anyhow another cold one on the North Bluff and more to come with white stuff all weekend. Glad I got the chains on the John Deere for plowing.
Prayers for those in need and have a good one.
 P.S. Thanks for the heads up RT!

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by dougdagrump on Friday, December 9, 2016 10:32 AM

Good Morning Ladies & Gentlemen, Boys & Girls !

Great news on the home front. As it stands now no further surgery required but will continue to treat with a cocktail of drugs. Still on restricted activities so the BetterHalf turned into my Christmas Elf, she picked up one of those tall skinny pre-lighted trees at Michael's for the living room and another one for the family room. But I did surprise her by using the little 3foot table top tree that normally was used for the public Christmas layout in the garage. No Christmas layout this year so I put it on a table in front of the train room window that faces the street, she raised h### at first(weight) but relented and said it looks great from the street, besides it doesn't weigh much at all.

Hoping to be released from some these restrictions so I can at least be able to go back to the museum by the 23rd. Gotta be able to run my Christmas train at least once this year ! 

Been a rough month of November but December is really starting to look great.

Later all !  

 

Remember the Veterans. Past, present and future.

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Posted by dbaker48 on Friday, December 9, 2016 10:44 AM

WOW!  Doug what a GREAT REPORT!!  I'm very happy to hear of your recovery so far, looks like a wonderful early Christmas gift!!

(Sent you a PM)

 

 

Don

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, December 9, 2016 12:01 PM

dougnotta ---> DrinksDrinksDrinks...?  Sign me up!

 

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Posted by SPMan on Friday, December 9, 2016 12:56 PM

Doug, glad things are looking a little brigher for you lately.  Hope you have a nice Christmas season and no more procedures for a while.  I went out to our weekly breakfast with my model train buddies this morning.  Going to see Helen at Noon.  Found my password for FB but I still can't get E mail.  Son will fix it tomorrow.  Enjoy the season everyone.

Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, December 9, 2016 4:06 PM

Great news DougDG,,,,,,,,,!!!!  Yes

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Friday, December 9, 2016 5:00 PM

Evening all!

Been AWOL. The wife and I made a quick trip to NYC Monday to see the Christmas decorations. We went to Rockefeller Center for the 94 ft tree, Angels, and fountains. Macy's Windows always fun but interior decorations were really nice this year. Saks 5th Ave had a music animated 5 or 6 story high light display on their 5th Ave wall. 

Went to Grand Central Terminal and the New York Historical Society to see the trains and layouts. Saw the remake of the musical Holiday Inn. It was great and the company got a standing ovation at the end. Great singing, dancing, and a very cool jump rope dance sequence. Also did the NBC Studio tour at 30 Rock and the 9/11 Memorial which is very well done and very respectful. And if you ever get the chance  - make sure you stroll into the Chrysler Building lobby. They do not make them like that anymore. Also NBC rebuilt their interior lobby (can only see it on a tour or as a guest into the building) the way it was built when the building opened in the 30's. Very cool and lots of historical stuff.

Ate way too much great food. Unlike a lot of places (elsewhere and here at home) the restaurants pride themselves on serving freshly prepared hot/quality food. Of course you pay for it - but for a bit less I get low quality, not freshly prepared, "boiling bag", and tepid food at most places here.

We walked a lot as we stayed near Central Park in mid-town. We walked through part of Central Park and the weather was seasonal, cold but not uncomfortably so. We beat the artic front leaving Thursday. Got it here at home though. Winterized before we left and that was good as it hit low 20's the last couple of nights. Dallas homes are not built for 20 degree weather.

Well it is cold here in DFW but 70's by Sat/Sun. Another artic front next Wed/Thurs.

DougnottaG - blessings for your good news. Shows the "toy train crew force" continues to remain "strong"!

Kev - hope your Dino train deal works out. The trains will run "conventional" if you leave the controller on and full on in the direction you want the train to run. We converted controllers to eliminate the batteries and use a 4.5 vdc power supply. This way any time a transformer is powered up the train runs at the speed set by the transformer.

 John Glenn - a true hero of my time. RIP

Regards, Roy

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Posted by rtraincollector on Friday, December 9, 2016 5:30 PM

Doug Da Grump I know what you mean. I'm hoping monday they will lift it some. I'm still on no more than 8LBs ( ie a gallon of milk ) This has been my orders since I left the hospital back in september. 

 

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

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, December 9, 2016 5:57 PM

SJ & Roy, thanks for the answers on the train set. Neat to know the work around Roy, The kid has the transformer opperation down on his side of the layout here. Bet he will figure out the remote opperation fast for his home loop.

Fireplace is cooking and heating the house with the HVAC fan set to run full time to push it around. At least today.

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Penny Trains on Friday, December 9, 2016 6:51 PM

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

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Posted by sir james I on Friday, December 9, 2016 10:19 PM

That makes sense. With the controller set full on. The engine can only respond to the transformer voltage going up and down.

Good tip Roy.

S.J.

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

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Friday, December 9, 2016 10:33 PM

Kev - btw - the LionChief controllers are great for kids. They figure it out in Nanoseconds. Better than conventional and they can walk with the train.

SJ - credit our friends in Lionel service for that tip. It was very useful for automated layouts where timers turn the CW-80's on and off. With no general availability of new conventional trains for displays and no ability to lock the locos into forward, this was a great solution to use LionChief products and one can still use the controller for demonstrations.

Becky - nice Mercury capsule model, nice tribute!

Regards, Roy

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Posted by cheapclassics on Saturday, December 10, 2016 12:19 AM

Good evening all,

Good day at home.  Got a lot of running done today.  Found out my other 2 Mianne benchwork sets are shipping next week.   Picked up the table tops today and hopefully will have all 3 tables running trains at Christmas.  Tree is up and decorated.  All I have to do is get Christmas cards done and a few other odds and ends and I will be all set.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by Banks on Saturday, December 10, 2016 6:54 AM

Hello there.......

Been MIA. RIP John Glen. I remember beeing glued to the TV for those early missions.

Was pleasantly surprised by the Media coverage of Dec 7th.

Doug..........glad for the good report.

High teens here with a stiff breeze this AM. So  opted to go get a tree instead of hunting. May go later this PM if the wind dies.

Remember in August the radiator in Mrs Blazer died? Hunted till 11 last Saturday then picked up a new used one and put it in. The plan was to do that and hunt a few more hours...That didn't work out but at least Mrs got her Blazer back before the snow came.

Got the parts needed for my new 259e from Train Tender. Getting it running is going to have to wait a couple weeks.

Got a big help from a friend at church this week. He came and helped me add lights to the 2 big trees in the front yard. 30 foot extension ladder just reached the top of the big one. Very greatly appreciated cause I don't do ladders like I used t and my left knee has been giving me fits.

Roy..........NYC decked for Christmas is on my bucket list. I also want to see the Rocketts. I'd love to go but I'm near phobic of big cities and fear getting lost in a bad nieghborhood with bad results. (had a bad experience in Baltimore years ago) Been watching for a tour but around here they are one day. Leave at o dark30 on a bus and get back at the same time the next day. My body can't do that.  

Also on the list is spending several days at Greenfield Village. Visited there for one day as a teenager and have wanted to go back ever since.

Mrs is stirring. Best get on with the day.

 

Prayers for those in need.

Banks, Proud member of the OTTS  TCA 12-67310

  

   

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Posted by fifedog on Saturday, December 10, 2016 8:07 AM

Mornin' boys.  Flurries and 26 along the Patterson Creek cutoff.  Christmas parade is at noon in Romney, if the Queen and Princess can get themselves together by then.

Chief - I'm getting too fat being retired, and I'm not liking that.  Have an application in with WVSP, and have "feelers" out with a local tourist rr.  Just looking for a little part-time something.  On the plus-side, my knees don't ache like they used to when I was with the cop shop.

cheapclassics - We want to see some pics of those tables when you're done.

Banks - I've seen the Radio City Christmas spectacular 3 times.  What you might see on a tv special is just a thumbnail of what you experience in person.  GO.

Roy - How can it be cold in DFW the way them Cowboys are playing...?

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Posted by sir james I on Saturday, December 10, 2016 9:45 AM

Had a good Friday night with Charlie and friends running Christmas trains at Henry Fords Greenfield Village. The challange is to keep little hands from derailing the trains. Club meet tonight. A whole heap of snow is forecast from late tonight into Monday morning. Heart attack depth....6 to 9 inches.

S.J.

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

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Saturday, December 10, 2016 11:26 AM

Morning Guys,

 

21 heading to 25. The big snow they were talking about all week keeps getting smaller and smaller. Won't start till tonight.

 

 No plans today but to go to a Christmas party next door at Jim's this afternoon. Can't get a DUI coming home from there.  Beer Beer Beer

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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