JANUARY 2017 COFFEE POT Hot coffee with grits for the good Southerners and oatmeal for the Yanks.

[cnw1995]

Aloha and Happy New Year. Back in the office today - didn't figure on Metra running a Sunday schedule yesterday which would've gotten me into the city at 11 am at the earliest. Fife, I've built a BTS kit of a open garage a few years ago. I got it second-hand and found it was very nicely done- beautifully cut with neat extras to 'hang' on the walls. I used wood glue and enjoyed the build  - as a ten-thumbed wonder.  It would be neat to see the Colorado 'Geese' - glad you had a good trip, Bob. That was a pretty fun Rose Bowl to watch last night. Didn't see too much of the Sugar Bowl. I wonder how they put those Rose Parade floats together...

[ChiefEagles]

Rainy good morning.  Big pour down earlier.  More to come untill afternoon.  County Commissioners and then Town Board.  Tomorrow, nothing Mayor wise [as planned but who knows].  Go get deer processed for DIL and Frankie.

Great chat with Shake and Bake last night.

Hope all OK.

[KRM]

Morning guys,

39 will be the high and that is what it is right now, Very dense fog, can barley see the shed from the house. Temps falling down to 10 tonight. Ugh!

The Banjo signal I got to add to the action corner of the layout for the three year old shows out for delivery today.I should be able to finish that project.

[sir james I]

Rain overnight, 40 for the day, then down she goes.

I watched the Rose parade and then the game. One of the best football games of the season. The win could've gone either way.

S.J.

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good Morning from foggy & wet 56°F Southern Ohio,

The kids are back in school and I’m back to work and working on more qualification signatures and study for the next round.  Bride still has the crud hacking and coughing. 

Kev – the banjo is a neat accessory.  I enjoy the accessories as much as the trains.

Later, may God bless

Jim

[rtraincollector]

Morning all. Not much planned for today. Raining ( Again ) 60* going up to 69* before it's all over but suppose to be getting a cold front coming in starting Sunday thru Tuesday we are looking at lows below freezing and highs from high 30's to mid 40's then we warm up again. 

I have to figure a few things out before I move forward on any plans. 1 Do I want to put all this money into this place or look for a place that might have at least some of what I want to offer. Ie more room in the house. lol. I have time as need to save up for what I want any way and want this house paid off first ( planning on Christmas this year or real close to be) Yes I'am putting myself in a accelerated pay off mode but which is very feasible. Who knows.

Trying to straighten this room up some to get things organized for the end of the month when everything is coming back from wife's booth. we weren't losing money there but we were not making money either. And I definitely was spending more trying to keep it filled. No one to blame but me but now I have a lot of trains I might not have bought as I was looking for low price trains that I could sell for a little over my cost. Anyway I'll just keep them. I'll put them up on the bay little by little as they sell. I also have over 100 loose items with no box, a few engines and a bunch of cars, now to be fair I have about 1/3 of them more or less junker cars ( my definition of junker car missing parts or so common it ain't funny.)  Some are decent car but you can't find parts for them or at least at a decent price. ( ie I can buy a 3665 car for $40 but there's a guy selling just one of the two roof pieces for $120. My car needs both halves so It's a junk/parts car for someone. 

Any way time to jump off and make something to eat. Kinda late for breakfast but a little to early for lunch for me so will see what I come up with. Probably some type of Brunch.

Talk to you all later

P.S. Kevin I think I have another crossing gate if I do and you want it you can have it. It's probably a better match in speed as the one I sent you. It's in Donna Booth in the Vintage mall. If it hasn't sold. 

 

Later all

[MichRR714]

Fife, I've built a couple laser cut kits. Shoot me an email if you'd like to discuss some of the pitfalls.

[KRM]

Thanks RT but I am good for now, I already got a newer one that matches the operation of the first one for the twin gate operation and I placed yours on the action corner where it will activate with the Gate man and Banjo signal.

[fifedog]

Thank you Charlie. 

Doug, so what you're saying is if you can sling the ukulele, you can rustle a B.T.S.?

[phillyreading]

rtraincollector

May you rest in peace Father Mulcahy You where great actor. 

 

I think his name was William Christopher. He also played on one or two episodes of Hogan's Heroes(season one) as Ltn. Richie who was in the British air force.

Lee Fritz

[phillyreading]

Good afternoon,

It is around 82 again in sunny southeast Florida. Supposed to be cooler this weekend again.

My wife's cousin in Camilla GA was under a tornado watch for 3 hours the other day, Camilla was spared. Albany GA got hit and one of the bridges is out(blown away)up there, don't know which bridge. Not sure how much other damage was done.

My wife is home from the hospital. Nothing bad was found! Just a minor scare by the doctor's office, but better safe then sorry though.

Done a little more work on the layout, added some plastic Lionel bridges and added or fixed a couple of upper level supports. Got out the Troller brand transformer and used for my American Flyer trains last night.

Lee Fritz

[rtraincollector]

Okay Buckeye You need to tweek the direction of the snow cannon. I know you aim for roseyville but your a little to far south at present setting as they are calling for snohio on Saturday here. I moved to South Carolina 

Afternoon all. Well wife agree's to the idea of looking for a different place rather than putting so much into this property. I would end up putting more into it than what I paid for it. And wouldn't get 1/4 of it back in value. probably. So looking for a place that is more fitting. 

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

One of you up north left the door open again. Temps dropping today - freezing tonight - next few days - gray/cloudy - maybe some snowhizo Friday???

Some work today - then with the wife to mall to exchange some clothes - time on phone cancelling services replaced by DirectTV/internet/phone package - saving about $200 a month.

Ray - getting concerned about the Chief - a good southerner like us immediately reports the amount of black eyed peas consumed New Year's Day - the peas bother you but not a burrito? Ouch!

Philly - glad your wife is ok.

Dennis? - you there? Hope they didnt find the clips?

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Good day, busy day at work.  Got two weeks of labs done in one day.   Do not have much piled up for given that I have been off almost 2 weeks.  Worked some more on puzzle.  Got MR and Trains today (can I say that here?).  Weather was good for a walk today, will wear long johns tomorrow.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Sturgeon-Phish]

 

Good Morning from clear cool 38°F Southern Ohio,

 

Temps are going to drop all day and be in the teens or lower by the weekend.

 

The crossover All Aboard panel I was bidding for went for a crazy high price on Ebay last night.  Others wanted it a lot more than I could afford.  It seems the AF All Aboard things are going really high right now.  I’m patient.  With the prices high maybe more will be offered.

 

Bride made a beef roast with potatoes and carrots for supper and it was great.  The leftovers will be the base for vegetable soup.

 

Got to go.  May God bless

 

Jim

 

[sir james I]

Very windy and 25 degrees, thats our high for today.

I am 3 CTTs and 2 TCAs behind in my reading. Seems I enjoy reading on the patio or porch more than I do indoors.

S.J.

[phillyreading]

Good Morning,

The temp got up to 86 yesterday according to the local news. Supposed to cool down for the weekend, maybe as low as 55 overnight for a couple of days then warm up again.

Had my American Flyer # 295 running yesterday, had to fix the track by the switch as one pin was not inserted properly. Still have to wire the lower level permantly, just have temp wiring for now.

Lee Fritz

 

[lion88roar]

afternoon fellas

The New Year is here and I'm busy ripping out carpet and padding in the LR/DR in prep for hardwood flooring installation... speaking of which I need to call the store to see why they haven't called to schedule install.

My older sister and I are taking our Dad to the Flyers/Penguins Alumni Game in Philly on the 14th. Will be my first hockey game in Philly! We're planning on heading up in the morning and making a day of it since the game starts at 7. Really looking forward to it, going to be lots of fun!

As Laz would say, 'Stay Frosty my friends'

[KRM]

YES Roy, the door is open, winter is back 12 here and not going to get much better.

Lee that warm weather must suck paying for all that AC.

Sub-mail carrier never tried to deliver my package yesterday so I hope are normal carrier is on the job today or I will have to go to town to get the package.

Yesterday was clean three more area rugs and then buy three more to replace three that are worn out, so that cost me $300.00 I don't have but wife is happy..LOL We got them off that site Wayfair. Hope it works out.

Brent, we are 100% wood floors in this house. I would never go back to carpet.

Update:

 The banjo signal got here today so I finished up the project.

 

140 Banjo Signal

145 Gateman

252 Crossing gate from RT.

Here is the finished Action Corner of the layout I did for grand-son Jordan. It is all run by a push button to give the three year old the job of being the Gateman. I think he will like it and know he don't care about the scale..

[Banks]

Hello there?

spending this evening with Mom at the ER. She had a severe angina episode early this Am. Got a caregiver and left her in bed. She reported Mom never got out of bed or ate anything. She was really out of sorts so I brought her to the ER. Nothing confirmed yet other than she didn't have a heart attack. Took me 3 hours to learn that.

On the decorations. ..indoors and out ours will be up and lit until Epiphany. Weather permitting I'll get the outdoor stuff in Sunday pm. The tree and everything else will stay till the tree starts dropping needles or just before Valentines day.

Never did get around to working on my 259. Did get a bunch of other things scratched off the t do list.

Turns out the fallen State Trooper lived nearby in Martinsburg. His funeral is being held at the Blair County Convention Center. They are letting local schools out early to avoid the road closures.

Approaching 4 hours here, gonna move on. I'll let you know how we make out.

Prayers for those in need.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

Sunny but cold today in SE Indiana.   Good day to walk.  Busy, but quiet day at work.  All caught up on work.  Worked on puzzle again.   Slow progress.  At this rate, will be working on it next Christmas ( the gift that keeps on giving....).  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[SPMan]

Roy, I know it sounds silly but the burrito was only a flour tortilla with scambled eggs, potato and bacon with no hot sauce.  On the other hand, the black eye peas contain enough gas to lift the Hindenberg. Happy New Year.

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Partly cloudy and 20 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  S'posed to snow overnight.

Yesterday Wifey wanted to take a ride out into the countryside, so we explored the South Branch Valley, from Romney to Moorefield.  You pretty much parallel the railroad (it's at the west river bank, you're on the east) the whole route south, and with all the foliage gone, you get to observe the line in its entirety.  Down in Moorefield, checked out the South Branch engine facilties (for the first time), and made my customary pass by the stockyard (it's just a cool structure).  Came home and took down outside decorations.

Banks, continued best wishes for your Mom, and you.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

 

Good Morning from snowy 22°F Southern Ohio,

 

Schools to the north of us are cancelling class, the school the kids go to is still on.  We’re to get 2” – 4” inches which isn’t much, but they are calling for ice.  I hope we have school.  Grandson has a jr high basketball game tonight against the school where we live.  We send our kids to the Catholic school.  It is a pretty intense rivalry in all sports.

 

Banks – We have the same schedule with the Christmas decorations.  I did take down the outside lights that require ladder / roof access this past weekend as the metal roof is very slick if wet.

 

Kev – the gate and semaphore man are great!  Love ‘em.  That is quite a layout you have there.

 

Brent – The only carpet we have in our house is up the steps and the upstairs hall and that is because I lost that decision.  Bride has agreed it needs to go as well.  Are they installing pre finished or unfinished hardwood?

 

Got to go.  May God bless

 

Jim

 

[wrmcclellan]

Morning all!

Chilly this morning at 37, cloudy and gray. 30's all day and teens tonight. Maybe snowhizo north of here. Cold for the weekend and then back to 60's next week.

Up early today to take the wife to the light rail for jury duty downtown. 

Banks - prayers for your mom

Ray - Hindenburg comment - - hope it is not as flammable!!!

[sir james I]

SPMan

Roy, I know it sounds silly but the burrito was only a flour tortilla with scambled eggs, potato and bacon with no hot sauce.  On the other hand, the black eye peas contain enough gas to lift the Hindenberg. Happy New Year.

 That explains the strong winds we had yesterday.

 

[cnw1995]

fifedog

Thank you Charlie. 

Doug, so what you're saying is if you can sling the ukulele, you can rustle a B.T.S.?

 

Definitely...

Aloha to everyone. High of 5 degrees today. Sigh. Off to grocery-shop and then to work. A video'd school 'incident' in Rolesville NC was the lead story on our local news yesterday. It seemed a bit overblown considering we're 900 miles away. Of course, it's replaced by a new video-based 'incident' today.  Stay warm! SJ, I like to read CTT outside too. There's snow in Ohio, but nothing here? 

[KRM]

Good morning, About the same as with Doug here but a tad warmer. It is 12 degrees heading to 16 and cloudy. We did get a dusting of snow last night but not enough to cover the ground. No plans to speak of.

Thanks Jim, not sure when the grand-son will show up next but sure he will like it.

[sir james I]

I went out this morning to let the Escape run awhile(been about a week) the temp from the car was 18 as I watched snow flurries fly around. Won't be above 32 till some time next week.

S.J.

[dbaker48]

Good Morning,

Ever make a post, then fall asleep before you hit the submit button ?  Happens more than I care to admit to.

Kay's mom is in hosp., Kay took her there on Tues.  She had problems breathing and they went to Urgent Care, and they sent her to the hospital.  MIL has pnumonia, heart condition, and a broken back.  FIL has a bunch of stuff, and MIL is his primary care giver.  So Kay has her hands full.  She takes her dad to hosp in daytime, then to their house at night, and spends the night there.  Been trying to help as much as I can, babysitting FIL, when feasible.  Don't have any idea how this will all work out.

Regarding the layout in Chicago, the guy trying to get it back together having all kinds of issues.  I was able to find a guy in Chicago area who is very familiar with DCS, so he is going to go there and see about helping out.  Should work out.

Lots of rain here, only problem is with ALL the concrete here it just ends up in the ocean, not enough storage facilities.

The Rolesville incident seems a little over the top, what is the police suppossed to do?  Stand and watch?  The desire to "make" news is so sickening, I have very little confidence in what is reported.

Going to make a trip to Lloyds today to get a different DCS layout running.  Then home and time in train room, recording tapes (both video and audio).  Good rainy day activity. 

Hope everyone has a great day!