I actually had Redfire on deck for this project, but I wanted to see if I could do it. That was the good news.
The not so good news is with some of my MTH engines. Was pulling some of the fleet from their boxes, and firing them up, with mixed results. Two of the steamers had lost their synchronized "chuff" ability, and a closer inspection revealed that the black/white "speed" striping had deteriorated off the motors. Also, all of the replacement batteries I had put in have gone bad. I had always replaced the oroginal MTH white batteries with the metallic green ones from Radio Shack (remember them?), and most have turned black, showing some corrosion around the terminals. Looks like I'll be buying BCR's in bulk.
ChiefEagles John, I was taking several guys from here that wanted to go. We all are not going now. Actually a waste of money. Except for seeing the gang, nothing to go for. Lionel and Atlas not going. Can buy internet just as cheap. Probably why York is shrinking in numbers. Will miss the gang.
John, I was taking several guys from here that wanted to go. We all are not going now. Actually a waste of money. Except for seeing the gang, nothing to go for. Lionel and Atlas not going. Can buy internet just as cheap. Probably why York is shrinking in numbers.
Will miss the gang.
Chief, I know what you mean. If it wasn't for the friends that I meet and the short dive to York for me, I probably would not go either. It's been a number of years since I bought anything signifigant there. I mainly go for two days now, because I can't walk the whole thing in one day anymore. About four hours of walking in a day and I'm beat. Goes with turning 80 I guess.
Local friends and I have been discussing how long the show will last in it's current form. May go to fewer days or once a year before it completely disapears. One of the problems of the low attendance from the public is the complete lack of advertising locally. Whenever a show that is open to the public is at that venue, there are billboards on all the major highways around here. I have never seen one about the York tains show, seems to me that the Eastern Division doesn't really want the public there.
fifedog The not so good news is with some of my MTH engines. Was pulling some of the fleet from their boxes, and firing them up, with mixed results. Two of the steamers had lost their synchronized "chuff" ability, and a closer inspection revealed that the black/white "speed" striping had deteriorated off the motors. Also, all of the replacement batteries I had put in have gone bad. I had always replaced the oroginal MTH white batteries with the metallic green ones from Radio Shack (remember them?), and most have turned black, showing some corrosion around the terminals. Looks like I'll be buying BCR's in bulk.
That's one of the problems with MTH engines. I love my MTH engines, but always replace the batteries with BCRs when they need replacing. Would not want to store any away for a long period with batteries in them. I try, not always successfully, to rotate my engines so the batteries keep charged and I know when they are dying.
By the way I,m still around, just not as active and chipper as I once was.
Thank you S-P Jim I tell everyone we lasted 60 years because neither of us wanted the kids. An then when I checked, the marriage license has no experation date. MTH batteries drove me nuts and it's the reason I have only a few of their engines. Things that Lionel didnt offer at the time. Sun, wind and 50s today.
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
Afternoon all!
Cloudy all day with a cool start, but ending nicely. Possible rain tomorrow and Sat. May hit some low 80's?
Have an event tonight at our daughters wedding venue tonight. They do a tasting of the available food, etc., at a sit down meal similar to how they run the actual event. One thing we like about the venue is they have their own kitchen and prepare all the food on site vs hauling it in in warming racks.
Dennis - sorry about the fall. Hope no further issues than the scraps and aches.
DonB - prayers for your FIL and the family.
Fife - bummer about the MTH locos - they make sticker timing strips that you can use. These are the strips that come in the upgrade kits. However - all the timing strips use 24 stripEs (As I recall). You could paint them on.
SJ - good one! I will have to use that sometime - only 26 years to our 60th
Regards, Roy
Good evening,
Weather today was weird but I did get caulking done and wood filler. Did the first sanding and will do some more touch up later when it gets good and dry. Just wanted to seal up the top rail and some cracks before I get the stain out in about 6 weeks to two months. SW has a sale this month with 40% off so I will get the stain then and wait till it it is ready to do. Also sanded off all the sharp edges so things are nice and smooth. I am happy with it so far.
Looks like cold and rain tomorrow then warming up into the 70s for the weekend.
SJ and Pat, Congrats,,,WOW that is a long time!
Don, keep up the good work with the ILs and take care of yourself.
Did I say that daughter and SIL bought a 2016 Explorer to replace the 2014 Fusion? They hit a chuckhole on I55 with that and blew two tires off the POS. Damn no sidewall tires! The Explorer is a 7 seater that Katie will take over and poor Dan will end up with the 2008 Equinox. I have not seen it yet but I guess it has just under 30K on it. Most likely it was a leaser car. Maybe I will see it this weekend?
Have a good one.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Good evening all,
Don B., prayers for your FIL.
V8, do you have a big dog? A friend of mine has one and is always worried about the dog knocking him down. He doesn't walk him for that reason but lets him run around the yard instead. Dog probably needs to walk some.
My chronic cough has turned into pleurisy I think on the left side. Hard to sleep and it wakes me up often. Took some antibiotics I had last night and a pain pill and finally got to sleep around 5:00AM. I have an appointment with the doctor soon so I better stop practicing medicine without a license. Need to see my dermatology doctor too. Everything is falling apart at the same time.
Interesting to hear about the smaller attendance at York these days. We are all getting older and not much new blood to replace us, at least on the West Coast. I use to love going to York with friends but now they are all gone and I'm not up to traveling like I used to either. Besides, I have just about all the trains I need anyway.
Ray
SPMan
Semi-busy day at work. Did a lot of odds and ends tasks tonight at home. Watched Jane the Virgin. Really disappointed with how they are doing the last season. Going out with a whimper and not a bang. Hope the same thing does not happen to Izombie. Never have been to York. I suppose I should go before it disappears.... I hope everyone has a good day.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Mike if your a tioy train nut you need to do York at least once. Besides the trains you will meet guys from the forum, make new friends and meet a rep from CTT.
Cloudy this morning with a high of 44, a typical day for the Tiger home opener.
Morning folks!
Another cloudy day - ugh...but it will approach 80!
York - looking forward to it. One real issue contributing to attendance is the cost of hotel rooms. I almost did not go, a few months ago when we normally make plans hotel rooms were hovering around $200 per night. It has gotten ridiculous. And there are twice as many hotels as 10 years ago. The hotels are gouging the Yorkies and contributing to their own demise of rooms for the show. We used to go for the week and you could get rooms for $55 a night. It was fine when hotels were $75/ night. Split it with a roommate and it was real cheap. So I had forgotten I made a reservation when I left the Oct meet, and I had an unused airfare to apply. Oct, we'll see...
MikeC - it is an amazing show. You don't have to buy anything. To get to view so many toy trains - it is like the Smithsonian - days to see it all. It could be half the size of today and still the biggest train show in the country. I do not really care if the manufacturers are not present, I see all their stuff on line and in CTT. It is the historical aspect that fascinates me - and it not behind a glass wall - so much rare stuff on display - and yes you can buy it or trade for it. One of my favorite views was a guy had a very rare Marklin prewar loco with a sign, $30K or trade for a Porche Carrera....
Ray - prayers for healing up soon!
Good Morning,
Happy Birthday Dennis
All is well here, silly/stupid things going on here on the left shore...
- Good news is the water Drought is Officially over! Bad news is the state declared we are NOW in a Earthquake Drought!! Cant believe that, its been to long since any activity.
- State Legislature is trying to push through a law that Priests MUST report any "Child Molestation" activites that are identified through the Confessional! Can't believe that will go anywhere, good intention, but wrong venue.
- Locally, there were so many high speed pursuits last night, the TV stations couldn't cover them all.
- Another idiot riding a bike, slashing pedestrians across the face with a box cutter, 9 victims to date.
-Then two people got into a stalemate for a parking space, each car was 1/2 way into the spot, and neither would relent and move on. This lasted for 1 1/2 hours, being posted on social media real time. Finally a viewer moved his vehicle so they would both fit!
Probably shouldn't post this being so off topic, but just can't believe what's happening! CRAZY !!!
Don
JUNK Software ate my post.
78 and fair.
Fifey, why I have dumped all my MTH engines but two. Junk!!!
Don, seperation of Church and State. Against the US Constitution. Lets see what the crooked CA Federal Judges say.
Don, carry a gun.
Later
God bless TCA 05-58541 Benefactor Member of the NRA, Member of the American Legion, Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville , KC&D Qualified
Aloha. Cold and damp in Chicago. Been very busy at work. Fife, I am glad you resurrected the AF and hope the BCRs bring the rest of your MTH engines back to life. I remember the traveling boxcar - actually a reefer. It visited my layout back in 2001. I have a folder with the car card and all its mileage - and a small bag of grits... :)
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Hey....happy Thurday...
Fife - NICE JOB!! I agree on the MTH stuff...I have maybe 3 MTH engines and the rest are Lionel.
60 and Sunny here. Breezy.
I'll be planning for October York.
Looks like I'll be doing a train show and sale November 2 in Hamilton Township, NJ. Youse giz that are nearby....you have been warned!!
Gotta get back.....quick fly by...
I am the monster in your head...And I thought you'd learn by now, It seems you haven't yet.I am the venom in your skin --- Breaking Benjamin
Doug...I still have my "I Love Ohio" boxcar that made its way around the country. Remember I had everyone sign the car. Visitors to my former layout loved the story about the car and how we mailed the cars.
No MTH engines on the BOW. Lionel, K-Line and Williams are all represented. Only one locomotive went bad in 15 years, a Lionel docksider. I believe I fried the motor pulling 15 cars up the three percent grade.
Don....California is definitely the entertainment capital of the world. Almost everyday we are entertained by the stupid things we hear happening on the left coast.
Hoping to make October York.
Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum.
Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..
Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR
TCA 09-64284
Dennis - Happy Birthday!
Very very quiet day at work. Watched 3 Hill Street Blues tonight. Weather warmer. Supposed to rain. Brought home a chair we had fixed and did some other errands. I hope everyon has a good day.
Hello there, Contractor making good progress. All 3 roofs are done with the exception of where the addition ties in. It is dried in with tar paper. Rain today so no work til Monday.
Wednesday helped son straighten bent s**t spreader. Wasn't as bad as I feared. Had to cut 1 side of an angle iron, let it gap open then weld it shut with reinforcement. Another brace needed straightened and a spot of weld. Then we used it to spread the piles hauled out and dumped over the winter.
After I picked up Mrs I got a ton of coal and shoveled it in.
Yesterday we took the snowplow off the big tractor, put the plow on. After changing the plow points we plowed down the corn stubble getting ready for oats. Surprised how dry it came up. After the wettest stretch of weather on record. March was below average.
Fish fry prep this morning. Leaving to Fry soon.
Best get to it.
Prayers for those in need
Banks, Proud member of the OTTS TCA 12-67310
Not sure how I ended up with a double post
Another rainy day, actually we need the rain. Been noticing all the retention ponds that are normally full this time of year are now bone dry. Farmers are busily working ground which is normally too wet to work early in April. Hope it isn't a harbinger of things to come.
All have a great weekend.
Afternoon all,
With the comments reflecting back on the Car Exchange we did, I thought I would try to capture some of the posts that were done at the time. As Fife was the organizer, I have a copy of the post he did when my car arrived at his place. Hopefully this will work...
The following is exactly as Fife posted, rather creative and certainly funny, hope you all enjoy! I have more if you would like to see them; cars as they came through my place. John Fullerton, Brent, Chief Rich M, SturgeonFish, Buckeye, Wes, Kurt, Doug Murphy, and Jon Englehardts.
12.20.9 Fife’s Layout
Unbeknown to the crew of the "chiclen feed", PAMMY and some of her PETA pals are protesting in a nearby town. Wanting to draw attention to themselves, and most willing to go to jail for their cause, this group wanted to stop the train bound for the poultry plant. But, they had came ill-prepared. A very helpful bystander, suggested that PAMMY had all she needed to stop the train.
...and he was right!
As fate would have it, another local was inbound with a cut of cars from the west coast...
The poor conductor couldn't signal to the engineer in time.
Poor feller was nearly smothered to death in the aftermath. (Wonder how that first report of injury form read...)
Finally, local law enforcement arrived on scene, and ushered PAMMY & Co off to the greybar hotel. And the very helpfull bystander (seen at lower right) seemed most pleased.
Goes to show you, two EMD's are no match for one 42DD.
*** No frilly slingshots were harmed in the making of this docu-drama. ***
Busier day at work than expected. Dry weather for walk. Watched Blue Bloods tonight. Good show. Foyt team did as expected in practice....bad. I hope everyone has a good day.
Evening folks,
Checking in after a long day. Have a good day tomorrow!
Sun and 60s today..I'm gonna put the sled away and the dogs to pasture. Club meet tonight will be well attended.
I want to add somthing nice about CTT today. A rare thing for me..lol. The article about Lionel"s 1949 layout was a good read. Wish there were more pics that I could have found fimiliar to what most of us already know.
61 degrees and sun trying to come out. Had rain yesterday. Was extra busy yesterday.
Grandson's [Col] birthday party today.
Trains all day. Youngest princess has 3 trips, while I have last 2.
dbaker - That was a fun year.
Chief - Happy Birthday to grandboy.
Hello there,
can tell the weather is nice, the place is deserted.
Today was fishing for kids round here
FishThe two oldest went and did well. Caught and released a bunch. Both in the Fishing Club at Spring Cove Middle School.
Crazy at the fish fry last night. Haven't heard the final count but it was north of 780. Bad thing was we were really short handed in all areas. Usually there are 2 keeping Mrs and I supplied and delivering to the buffet. We were on our own for the most part.
Was so wupped we slept late. Got breakfast over about noon. Son helped me move some stuff and get the camper moved to the other driveway. Gonna dewinterize it and get ready for York. Other than that lazy day.
Bed is calling.
Nice weather today. Did lousy at practice. 3:33.51 for a 3.675 MPH average. Went too fast the first 8 miles and struggled the final 5. Hurt right ankle somewhat by pushing too much. Foyt team qualified about as good as I could expect. I hope everyone has a good day.
Warm but rain, Maybe trains today?
Great picture Banks!!! BTW, house does looks better without the lean-to.
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