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MARCH 2017 COFFEE POT Hot coffee with grits for the good Southerners and oatmeal for the Yanks. March on towards 13 years in April. Locked

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, March 9, 2017 11:55 PM

Past bedtime.  Reclinerized as Wifey sat up watching some dumb TV shows.  How they stay on, I don't know.

Stayed outside most of the day.  Got a red face.  Walked about 4 miles.  Only one meeting this AM [walked to town hall].  Had one this evening but left early for haircut.  Great day and was in short sleeves all day.  55 degrees right now.

Ray and Dennis, prayers.

Roy and Don, chill.

SJ, a little NC hurricane.

Mike, agree.  Don't see how some movies get out of the "cutting room".

Sleep tight. 

 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 Banks on Friday, March 10, 2017 4:06 AM

Hello there, TGIF!!!!!

still kickn

Gonna fry fish again tonite More later

Prayers for those in need

Banks, Proud member of the OTTS  TCA 12-67310

  

   

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, March 10, 2017 10:22 AM

Good morning,

Winter is here to. 27 and will not get into the 40s for another week. March is always a crap-shoot. Only good thing is the sun is out and the wind is low.

Not much else.

Watching lousy movies is good practice for watching Indy car racing.  Sleep  Wink

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Friday, March 10, 2017 2:08 PM

Afternoon all!

Partly sunny today and high 60's. Maybe 70. Predicted rain tomorrow afternoon and then cooler temps into next week.

Not much to report today so far. Workin the the garage shop area cleaning, etc.

Regards, Roy

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Posted by SPMan on Friday, March 10, 2017 5:09 PM

Good afternoon all,

Went out to breakfast with my two train buddies today.  Larry who is a retired drummer, formerly with the Nightblooming Jazzmen dixieland jazz band invited us to go with him Sunday for a jazz concert.  He is sitting in with his old band out in Simi Valley.  We will go to the TTOS train meet first then motor out to the jazz club.  That ought to be what the doctor ordered to lift my spirits.  That song called "Hello Central, Give Me Doctor Jazz" would be appropriate for me.  I have been making a lot of phone calls today, thanking everyone for their sympathy cards etc.  Keeping in touch with family on facebook sometimes.  Got some checks in the mail today.  I'll take it!  Having a quiet reflective afternoon and it feels good.  Went to the dermatologist yesterday and they are giving me stronger doses of prednisone now and a new kind of cream for the itch plus they want to see me back in a week.  They are being aggresive now, finally.  Also Monday, have to have a tooth root pulled where my tooth broke off and send my partial out to add another tooth to replace it.  I will be toothless for a day. Later,

Ray

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Posted by cheapclassics on Friday, March 10, 2017 10:33 PM

Good evening all,

Interesting day at work as it turned out to be busier than expected.  Also some unexpected problems cropped up but hopefully they will be fixed by next week.  Brisk day for a walk.  Went to a local art show featuring some high school students' work, had a nice dinner downtown as well and finished the evening watching some vintage Indy 500 film clips at the local history museum.  The day was rough, but the evening good.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by Banks on Saturday, March 11, 2017 5:59 AM


Hello there. TGIF! !!!!!
Never did get a post together last week. Been hectic the last couple weeks.

Due to the wildly different opinions on Mrs thickened uterine lining we traveled to the Western Maryland Health Network in Cumberland to visit a 3rd OB doc recommended by our family doc. He agrees with the Pittsburgh Doc. Keep a close eye on it along with an adjustment in HRT. 

Fife....Question for you. After the appointment we were eating at a KFC watching CSX trains go in and out of a yard, also what looked like a machine checking alignment and tamping ties with a train full of track.  While there I saw several trucks shaped similar to a hot metal car going in both directions. What do they carry?  

Roy. ...sounds like you've got a machine shop in the garage. Congrats on getting the scooter done.  

This weather is nuts. It was near 80 last week. Now it's windy 33 with a couple inches of fresh  snow. 14 predicted tonight and tomorrow night with highs in the 20s.

Looks like the Super 55 Oliver may get out of the garage after 5 years. Trying to get the varnish out of the gas tank (any ideas?) and looking for a set of points. Son wants to use it to do a little plowing as it has the best draft control ever and I want to put the buzz saw on it to cut up the dead ash trees in the yard.

Back from frying fish 824 thru the door tonight. Last week was light. Only 651. That makes the average so far shy of 740. Now relaxing with some wine.

Haven't been doing much with trains. Went to the Altoona show last Sunday. Picked up 3 early Mantua boxcars and some NOS flat car skids from one dealer. Also got an vintage Atlas HO JO'S   restaurant kit and a white Plasticville barn with out buildings. Couldn't stay long because it was my weekend to deposit the church collection. Did take time to say hello to a couple of old friends.

(this is where I crashed gonna finish this AM)

Well just left the dogs out. Didn't look at the thermometer but it's cold. More like mid January than March. Started this post yesterday morning finishing now. Think I missed a birthday or 2. Belated congrats on everything I missed. Got lots o stuff that needs done, best get the day started . 

 

Prayers for those in need



 

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Posted by fifedog on Saturday, March 11, 2017 6:28 AM

Mornin' boys.  Partly partly and 23 along the Patterson Creek cut-off.  Taxes getting done today.  Whoof...

Spent last couple days fixing and tidying up the shops.  I was also tasked with clearing a path through former WM Business car 204, which had been resting in the woods in Garrett County for decades.  Big Boss wants to get inside and take pics.  Received news that's ideal for my goals here, but will probably kill my attending YORK.   

Banks - What am I thinking...?  Next time...  Yeah, CSX has been laying new rail though town,  guessing that was some kinda weld machine.

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Posted by Banks on Saturday, March 11, 2017 6:52 AM

Fife.....considered trying to get together but we didn't have much time to spare. Those trucks still have me curious. There appears to a whole fleet of them. Not sure but it looked like what they were hauling was hot.

Any ideas?

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Saturday, March 11, 2017 10:05 AM

Geezeeee Slept till 9:30????

23 here with full sun and may make 32 later, calling for some snow tomorrow but Doug will get the brunt of it if they are right?

Ran the Alaska set last night along with the #53 pulling a small load, the kids loop and the MOW bump run with the #50

I sure am happy with the Alaska set I built up. Runs just great and looks good to. Big Smile

Oh well better take a load off and get started. 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Saturday, March 11, 2017 6:03 PM

Good Evening from beautiful 34°F Southern Ohio, 

It has been a busy week, and working night shift has not made it any easier.  I got off Friday morning and had several things to do then got the kids to visit their mom in Marysville, then a late evening meeting then home about 1 am this morning.  Swept and mopped floors then Gabriel and I trimmed bushes at the mother-in-laws.  It was too windy today to burn the brush so we'll finish cleanup it later. 

I bought 4 straight all aboard panels, connecting clips and rivets to secure track from Portlines.  This will make the layout for the Train show this fall but I'm still looking for the crossover panel. 

Youngest has a friend over tonight and my bride is making spaghetti 

Kev – Looks real good! 

Good night and may God bless 

Jim 

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Posted by cheapclassics on Saturday, March 11, 2017 11:04 PM

Good evening all,

Did not do much today.  Wife had one task on my to do list and I got that done.  Watched a DVD MR had sent a few years back.  Pretty interesting stuff.   AJ's team got off to a rocky start this weekend with Daly starting in the back and Munoz is mid-pack.  A top ten finish is the best I can expect tomorrow.  Weather is sunny, but will turn bad early this week.  Kevin, I share your appreciation for Alaska RR trains.  They do look nice.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

 

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Posted by SPMan on Sunday, March 12, 2017 4:43 AM

Good morning all,  Can't sleep so I'm up at 2:30AM fooling with this thing.  Went to Saturday night mass and dinner after with a friend.  Time change is screwing me up because I have to get up early to go on an outing tomorrow.  Probably sleep half the day but I don't have to drive.  Ran some trains in the garage this afternoon despite it being a little warm in there.  Dirty track everywhere.  Spent most of our time cleaning track.  My son noticed the toilet was running but I couldn't here it.  Found out there was a bad order float valve in there.  God knows how much water I have been losing.  No wander my water bill was high.  I have seldom even been in the garage for serveral weeks/months while taking care of Helen.  I notice a lot of water stains caused by the toilet in the bowl.  I just turned the shut off valve and will fix it when I get a chance. Talk later,

Ray

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, March 12, 2017 7:37 AM

Morning all. Well yesterday was not a good day for me. first a buyer wanted a full refund because of what I'm guessing is damage in transit but can't get that answer from him, but now seems happy to fix it. Then we decided to goto the flea market, wasted time nothing there but folks selling junk or the ones thinking all they had was gold. Left there and I went thru Columbia, SC to goto a goodwill we haven't been to in about 2 years and right in middle of town got hit broadside in my truck ( lady ran a red light. ) It moved my truck from the 12 position on a clock to about the 2 position. ( now lady says she was not speeding ( 30 mph speed zone ) but moved a extended cab full size truck about 7' . Wife and I are alright. my back has some pain but not super bad. The truck got what appears to be less damage than expexted but that still could be costly because of the parts. 

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

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Posted by sir james I on Sunday, March 12, 2017 8:34 AM

Sun and 20 now, 30 will be the hi.

143- that's the number of military cars we ran in a train last night at our club meet.

95- the number of freight cars we ran  after the the first train was removed.

Charlie has a busy Sunday so there may not be a video till tomorrow.

Snow expected for Monday, I don't care, it won't stay on the ground for weeks on end like winter.

S.J.

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

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, March 12, 2017 8:48 AM

Dang you Buckeye , you have that dang snow cannon aimed wrong again. I'm getting sno-hi-o here in S.C., your not suppose to go any more south than N.C. 

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

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KRM
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Posted by KRM on Sunday, March 12, 2017 9:30 AM

Hi guys, 21 heading to 36 snow tonight but more north than us.

 Got a birthday bash today at Katie's to go to at 2:00 so we plan to head home before the snow starts. Depends on who you listen to but it can range from 1 to 7 inches. Looks like Doug will get covered. So I had better get to the store this morning before we leave town.

RT, sounds to me like your going to end up with another truck.

Mike, the whole Alaska thing started with a Lionel Trainsounds boxcar. Laugh

SJ, that is a lot of cars. Surprise

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, March 12, 2017 9:40 AM

Kevin all depends whats behind the outer layer that got damaged.

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

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Sunday, March 12, 2017 9:52 AM

Morning all!

Cloudy and cold. Supposed to rain later. Winter is back.

RT - wow - glad you and the Mrs are ok.

SJ - some record for the train!

Banks - try laquer thinner, but it may not dissolve all the varnish, but loosen it, so have to suck the debris out.

Ray - good to hear life is returning to some level of normal for you.

Kev - nice! Happy belated BDay to the Mrs.

Fife - no York?? Say it ain't so!

Regards, Roy

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Posted by Sturgeon-Phish on Sunday, March 12, 2017 9:55 AM

Good Morning from sunny 35°F Southern Ohio, 

This is my weekend off from deacon duty so I get to go to Mass with my family. 

Depending on the wind we may burn brush today.  The oldest grandchild has a bug this morning, not sure what yet.  She is a tough one so when she complains we really listed.  Youngest and her friend are have a fun sleepover.  Her friend never had home raised eggs.  It was enlightening. 

RT- Praise God you're not busted up too bad.  Did the lady get cited and have insurance? 

Ray – Fluidmaster makes a good replacement float valve; around $7 and easy to install.  Might as well replace the flapper while you are in there, another $5. 

Dennis – are you getting a specific kind of slot cars? 

Time to get everyone moving 

May God bless 

Jim 

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, March 12, 2017 10:41 AM

I stayed away from her and the police to give her privacy so not sure what all she got. But she has insurance but never heard of the company ( access ) The police office did mark the report as she was at fault and I wasn't. 

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

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Posted by submmbob on Sunday, March 12, 2017 11:50 AM

Hello all

Been back at work for a few days and having a hard time waking up this morning.

Got the center bearing installed in the Datsun last week and got the steering column out of one of the PW Twin Coach buses that we need to tow.

On the train front I finally got around to ordering the parts I needed for the 623 ATSF switcher. Going to try and get it going on the e-unit first. Eventually I may look into putting in an electronic e-unit and a sound card.

I got a good deal on a boat kit from Dumas. Always wanted to try an R/C boat but just never quite got there. This is also a plank on frame kit which is something else I've always wanted to try. Great instructions and a very nice kit. I is a scale model of a WWI subchaser and will be about 3' long which is a workable size.

Also finally ordered the miniature chain I needed for the Charles W Morgan project (remember that one?) since I was picking up a couple of small tools from Micromark. Given that I started that kit when I was 14 yrs old, it's coming along rather nicely:) It's always good to have multiple projects to work on so if I get stalled out on one I can move to another.

We are getting ready for another big move at the barn this week. 5 trolley cars, one smelter locomotive, and two railroad flatcars. Most will come over w/ a flatbed tow truck except for the two wooden trolley bodies which will be towed on rubber tired bogies. My job will be to start and move 3 of the buses in the barn (including the motorhome) and move them out of the way. Plus make sure the bucket truck is ready to tow with and then whatever else is needed. I will get home by 10PM Tues and the fun starts Wed at 7AM.

 

Bob

Tucson, AZ (aka the Ol' Pueblo)

Home of the Mt. Graham & Arizona Eastern Boiler Shops

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Sunday, March 12, 2017 12:36 PM

submmbob

I got a good deal on a boat kit from Dumas. Always wanted to try an R/C boat but just never quite got there. This is also a plank on frame kit which is something else I've always wanted to try. Great instructions and a very nice kit. I is a scale model of a WWI subchaser and will be about 3' long which is a workable size.

Bob, I think you will have fun with the boat kit. Back in the early 80s I built a Dumas Hot Shot 21 with a 3.5 engine sort of like in these pictures.

One thing to caution "water does not compress" I went through a lot of connecting rods. Man that thing would fly on the water .

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by phillyreading on Sunday, March 12, 2017 3:38 PM

Good afternoon,

Sort of warm again down here in West Palm Beach FL. Around 82 degrees for the high again and got some small rain showers earlier today, just enough rain to make the roads wet. Supposed to cool off by the next weekend, Friday, and then warm up a little again.

Have to go to chiropractor's office tomorrow afternoon. 

Waiting on a friend to help me mount a wall shelf for some of my Lionel train cars. Also going to mount my H.O. train table soon, can't get the guy to help me right now so maybe my wife will have to help me mount it.

Went through some more boxes in the past couple of days and found some more Lionel and MTH stuff. Most likely they will go on my newly mounted shelve.

Lee Fritz

Interested in southest Pennsylvania railroads; Reading & Northern, Reading Company, Reading Lines, Philadelphia & Reading.
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Posted by ChiefEagles on Sunday, March 12, 2017 4:16 PM

Afternoon.  PC down.  May have to replace.  8 years old.  Probably time.  Been doing my walking last few days.

Snow this AM.  Didn't stick.  Too warm except on grass and shrubs.  By noon, sun out and all gone.  Warm now.

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 fifedog on Sunday, March 12, 2017 6:34 PM

Evenin' boys.  Another successful raid across the Potomac.  No debt to the Northerners.  Nice visit with grandson.  Expecting snohizo tomorrow night.

rt - Hope things work out for you from the crash.

Roy - Still sent my registration in.  We will see.

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Posted by cheapclassics on Sunday, March 12, 2017 8:55 PM

Good evening all,

RT, glad you and the better half are ok.  Not a good day.  AJ's team had a really bad day with Munoz taken out at the start and Daly not a factor at all.   Went to fieldhouse, but mind and body was not into it.  Did 4.4 miles in 60 minutes and then called it quits.  Came home and ate and still feeling out of sorts.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by sir james I on Monday, March 13, 2017 12:19 PM

Lite snow and 24 degrees.

After a busy weekend I don't mind just staying in.

S.J.

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

  Charter Member- Tardis Train Crew (TTC)   - Detroit3railers-  Detroit Historical society Glancy Modular trains- Charter member BTTS

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Monday, March 13, 2017 12:46 PM

Hi had about 3" of snow that 2" of has already melted.

Was good to see Dale Coyne Racing get a good start. Used to be Payton Coyne racing in the early days. Their shop is only about 6 miles from our old house in Plainfield. I know a guy who did the painting on the Indy cars for him. Same guy that painted my 1972 El Camino for me. Resale red with the black stripes down the hood. Yes

Too bad that only one driver in the top five of that was an American. No

Nice fight in the pits at the NASCAR race to boot.  Black Eye Dead

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by SPMan on Monday, March 13, 2017 4:12 PM

Well, yesterday was  great with the train meet and jazz concert later.  We had dinner at The Old Spaghetti Factory in Monrovia.

Today is something less than great.  I had that broken tooth pulled this morning and sent my partial to the lab.  I won't get it back until Wednesday afternoon.  So I am toothless for 2 l/2 days.  I have to be inventive to pick things to eat with half my teeth missing.

Gardener did a great job trimming the ivy on my back fence.  Now it looks like somebody lives here.

We are having a mini heat wave here this week with temps in the high 80's.  Can't belive all that snow in the East in March.

Might run some trains if it's not too hot in the garage today.

later,

Ray

SPMan

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

 

              

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