Trains.com

September Coffee Pot. It’s that time of year for Pumpkin Spice GRITS!

4127 views
64 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Tuesday, September 20, 2022 3:32 PM

Hey, I made it back --- 

9/11 we stayed home....heartbroken, I wanted to go, but the rain made it impossible.  

Last weekend was our trip to Wildowood for convention and vacation.  Made it Thursdat and off to the Doo Wop Cafe for burgers and fries for dinner.  Friday was convention day and the memorial ceremony was another tear jerker, for sure. 

Business completed, I went back to the hotel to grab Jenni and went through the tents.  Met up with the guys from the Gettin' Salty podcast.  They are on YouTube Mondays and Thursdays at 8.  We got a mention last during last night's podcast.  We picked up some t-shirts and had my Assisntant Chief's watch fixed.  We had dinner with the department.  Off to the boards shortly after.

Saturday was a quick trip to vote, breakfast with the department and then to Holly Beach trains.  The owner, Larry, is a US Army Vet and retired firefighter.  Jenni picked up some N gauge things and I got a very mint MPC 4-4-2 Lionel Lines Engine and a UP flat to go with my now complete Allegheny set.  The engine is un numbered which I thought was unusual.  Had dinner at the Boathouse, on the water with a beautiful romantic sunset.  The Mrs. approved, lol.  Off to the boards again, then sat with the department on our final night.

Sunday stopped at the Mavis Diner for breakfast (portions were huge), then cruised through Ocean City, NJ and saw an air show.  Then off to her parents house for a bit. got home late, unpacked the car.  Still unpacking.

Did house work yesterday, Jenni had a doc appointment, dinner out.  

Have a softball dinner tonight.  

Good to see you Roy, do wish you would come back.  As an aside, sine the 611 is still in Stradburg, we may make the trek to go see her in the fall, hopefully, the brick is in and we can see it and get pictures.

Well, that's all I got for now, the new train layout is being sketched and looks interesting.  I'm waffling on the room, but we'll see, still will be bigger than the train atic layout.

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


  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Sunday, September 18, 2022 8:27 AM

You're probably wanting a cheeseburger now...

PirateWelcome

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Sunday, September 18, 2022 8:25 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. 59 with an early morning rain (didn't Lightfoot have a big hit with that one) along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Nothing on tap today, but will make a sausage omelette with mozzarella to start things off. Maybe apply some paint to the new plaster scenery...

Spent Fri-Sat at the chapter caboose, and met lots of nice folks (many from Snohizo). 

Hearing it's National Cheeseburger Day. Dinner I like mine with mustard, ketchup, Klausen pickle slice. However, I like my American cheese slice on the bun bottom, placing the burger fresh off the grill onto same.

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Friday, September 16, 2022 2:59 PM

fifedog

Roy - Thank you so much. Love you. Miss you.

 

That goes for me to Roy. Yes

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 643 posts
Posted by smokey1 on Friday, September 16, 2022 11:21 AM

I seem to have visited Boston on one of the ships I was on, that was my only visit to MA. I went to a bar called Three Cheers, I went by the Cheers bar/restaurant but didn't go in. Didn't seem worth their charge to go in to it me at the time. 

 I shared the link with Bob. I will see if they have a link to their place. 

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • 520 posts
Posted by Leverettrailfan on Friday, September 16, 2022 10:40 AM

Smokey, I'm afraid not, I'm way out on the other side of the country, in MA. The museum is small, but I think the size is beneficial for what we do. If we were too big, we'd never be able to keep up with all the property upkeep and maintenance. Plus, it really allows us to focus more on our specialties- delivering a unique, personalized experience to visitors to learn about and experience what things were like back in the late 19th/early 20th century, when trolleys and 'steam roads' were how the world moved. Most of our visitors are young families and sometimes their grandparents, and everybody has a great time. Really proud to be a part of such a nice place.

This is the website for the museum.

-Ellie

"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 643 posts
Posted by smokey1 on Friday, September 16, 2022 9:13 AM

Ellie

By chance are you in AZ. I have a friend in AZ that works/volunteers at a trolley barn.  

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Thursday, September 15, 2022 9:20 PM

Welcome back Ellie!  Bow

  • Member since
    February 2014
  • 520 posts
Posted by Leverettrailfan on Thursday, September 15, 2022 8:46 PM

Hey Gang. Long time, no see-

Needed to take some time away, looking to get back into being active on the forum. Every so often I need to take breaks from this kind of thing, doesn't mean I won't be back for more Smile

I guess the latest news is that it's a little lonely since the brothers went back off to college, just me and the youngest brother in town now. Managing ok, but we're pretty close-knit so it's tough getting used to it after having them around all summer.
I've been working on N scale lately! A friend of mine is working on getting his N scale layout up and running again after many years in storage, and I've been helping him out by working on his equipment. Turns out this stuff isn't quite as tough to work on as I thought, so long as it's been well designed. Lots of dislike for the Bachmann stuff, due to cracked gears, but everything else so far has been a lot of fun- and admittedly I ended having a lot of fun with one of those Bachmanns once I figured out a way around the gear problem.

Been helpin out at the trolley museum every weekend I can make it. Saw some really lovely folks come by last weekend, hoping things are fun this coming one too.
Today I was helping do some 'clean up', throwing out some old, niffy magazines. I actually ended up going through some and saved an assortment of clippings and a couple full magazines. I found some adds that I felt might be of interest to folks in the forums here, will try to get some of them scanned in the near future.
I was also gifted some trains in recent history- the most exciting things are an 0706 Lionel/Athearn 'Texas Special' dome car, and an 0805 Lionel radioactive waste car. Both were in rough shape but the 0805 cleaned up well, can’t wait to share.
Just today a friend at thge museum gave me something unbelievably nice- a KW in the original box. He also gave me a cheap Lionel tender, tender shell, a 6037 caboose, 3472 milk car and platform with milk cans, and a 2036 with a missing front truck and bent pilot, that suggest it took a nose dive in times gone by. But hey, it's got magnetraction!

more to share but will call things here for now. Take care all.

-Ellie
PS: did anyone else know that Kusan was advertising their O gauge plastic trains in Model Railroader back in the late '50s? Me neither.

"Unless bought from a known and trusted dealer who can vouch otherwise, assume every train for sale requires servicing before use"

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Thursday, September 15, 2022 4:28 PM

Roy - Thank you so much. Love you. Miss you.

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • 114 posts
Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Thursday, September 15, 2022 3:49 PM

Evening folks,

Played another softball game yesterday. Struck out some players, got a couple of hits and scored a run! We won that game, but I don't know the final score...

The field I played at must've had some railroad tracks nearby as you could hear the train horns blow! 

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: North Texas
  • 5,707 posts
Posted by wrmcclellan on Thursday, September 15, 2022 3:48 PM

Hello all,

Just to inform those of you who contributed to a TCA Memorial Brick for Banks Wallace. The TCA informed me today that they have received the brick (and mini-brick for Bank's widow/family). They are checking the inscriptions are correct per the order and then the bricks for the TCA Museum walk will be scheduled for placement (hopefully by Oct York) and the mini-brick mailed to Banks' widow Therese.

I have kept up with Therese over the past year and she is doing well with support of family (many within a few blocks) and friends. Banks Jr recently got called back to the RR and is working shifts again. No loss of seniority.

Forgot to add that TCA was short staff, had an issue with the brick supplier, thus the long lag from when I made the order back in August '21.

Take care all!

Regards, Roy

  • Member since
    June 2013
  • 643 posts
Posted by smokey1 on Thursday, September 15, 2022 9:08 AM

The strike has been averted, for the time being, a final vote will be done in a few weeks when both sides have time to cool off. Then we get to go threw this all over again ( I hope not ) 

Morning all. 

67* going to 81* today. no real news. 

The garage/storage room has its own sub-panel box now. I still need to separate the Garage outlets from the storage room lights & outlets. that will be down the road. Simple process. 

Need to start insulating the garage overhead.

That's about all for now.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Thursday, September 15, 2022 5:57 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Clear and 54 along the Allegheny front range. Yard work and grocery shopping await me today. Since a nationwide rail-strike is looming tomorrow, Wifey and I grabbed some ice cream and went trackside in town, after dinner. Saw several CSX freights in an hour's time.

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Monday, September 12, 2022 6:27 PM

Evenin' guys and gals. Soggy and 70's in the Potomac Highlands. Today is an important date in O-gauge lore, as Fifepup was born, which rekindled my interest in Lionel trains. He would receive the Western Maryland hopper set that Christmas, and I would slowly lose interest in N-scale from then on. I'm sure it's on the Company calendar...

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Sunday, September 11, 2022 7:04 PM

pennytrains

The setting sun reminds me of the quiet skies, deserted streets and feeling of uncertainty that permeated this night 21 years ago.

 

"Never forget, never forgive."  

Rest in peace, the fallen of 9/11/2001. 

  • Member since
    July 2020
  • 1,623 posts
Posted by pennytrains on Sunday, September 11, 2022 6:48 PM

The setting sun reminds me of the quiet skies, deserted streets and feeling of uncertainty that permeated this night 21 years ago.

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Sunday, September 11, 2022 8:31 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. And thanks. Overcast and 66 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. I'm volunteering at the chapter caboose this weekend during Cumberland Heritage festival. The Scenic Railroad is not running trains, nor having a presence...

KRM
  • Member since
    January 2011
  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
  • 6,506 posts
Posted by KRM on Saturday, September 10, 2022 2:48 PM

Hi gang, been a lot going on of late.

Sorry Fife for your sister in law.

It just keeps on coming,, yesterdat I had a Thyroid nodule needle biopsy, and,,,,nope I didn't like it. Yeah, nodule, nice word for tumor. First seen it with a CAT scan from the broken back and ankle in Feb. So they decided to dig into it. Bang Head  We will see?

I thought I scored a great deal on a Williams 2530 repo of the Lionel baggage car to go with those 2500 series passenger cars I got in that package deal. Thing looks great,,,,,,,,,,,BUT it un-couples on curves ??? Any ideas? I could sure use some help on this one? Huh? one coupler hangs kind of low the other is spot on but place it either way and they still un-hook??  Bang Head Bang Head

We had to replace the 15 year old well water system and OUCH that hurt,,,$4970.00 later we have great water.

Birthday party tomorrow for the daughter's oldest girl. Wow 12 years old already.

Best get.

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Friday, September 9, 2022 12:43 PM

My Condolences and Prayers to you and your Family, Fife.

60s this AM 83F later

Most of the trains that I brought over are now put away and logged in.  The upstairs is ready for a vacuum and set to have my sister come over and go through more stuff from my parents.

More stuff will be heading to Jenni's probably tonight, to clear out the garage as the garage is going to be gone through as well.  The Road Star will be taking up residence back at my house.  Still lots of moving parts here, but there is progress.

Looks like my 2021 Golden Spike car will be in tomorrow!!

Vacation commences on Thursday morning and the countdown clock is ticking, lol

 

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


  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Friday, September 9, 2022 7:58 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Cool, damp and foggy along the Allegheny front range. Was hoping things would dry some to cut the lawn. I've been RoadDog this week, with trips to Stewartstown and Baltimore. Helped my buddy's widow move to her condo on Wednesday. Spent that evening at Oldest Princess home, visiting with the boys. Thursday morning paid visit with old neighbors, then headed to police range for yearly qualifying. Then back home.

Today is another family funeral up near Huntington, PA. Sister-in-law joined Ms Kelly's brother.

  • Member since
    March 2022
  • 114 posts
Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 7:42 PM

Evening, played my first softball game of the season today! 6-0 loss. Didn't make the greatest of pitches and what not, but it is still early.

Not much going on that's train related, told a friend who went to the train show in March about the Foley train Museum in Foley, AL. (The big O-gauge layout they have, I've been there before.) He may go there next time he is in that area!

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Wednesday, September 7, 2022 11:53 AM

The 43 won a race???  

Too bad it was in a Chevy Sigh - King RIchard will always be the KING especially if he's in a Dodge or a Plymouth

Home on Monday with a nice N Scale set up for Jenni - the rental was $225!!  I had to rent a van as I didn't have a vehicle that would fit it.  It's in the garage awaiting a place in the house in the next couple of days.

Put a few things on Craigs List, they need to go. Made some headway cleaning the house, more stuff up in the attic, still a long ways to go to get the contents of my house to my Mom's.  I am using a spreadsheet to make sure I list everything I have and that makes it a little easier for everyone including me and my bride.

Prepping for our motorcycle ride to Jersey City and the Empty Sky memorial, accross the river from Ground Zero.

Rained Monday night and yesterday, looks like the gray is going away, hope to see sun later today.

 

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


  • Member since
    July 2020
  • 1,623 posts
Posted by pennytrains on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 7:21 PM

And those of us that enjoy a good Alberta clipper are glad that it isn't roasting in the north woods!  Our high so far was 97 back in June when we were at apogee.

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Duluth, Minnesota
  • 1,967 posts
Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 3:10 PM

Not with the 80+ degree days we have been having.  We do actually have summer up here.  However we have been spared the blistering and baking heat that the rest of the country has been getting.

 https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/render/00-TX7BzQKWP5rpy2h8uUSX_DEe-TYASdLv3sPSKPONH2paZhGG0la1bupiSP7mFuiJrnHjCyIZu59oV2we_kMG9A?cn=THISLIFE&res=small&ts=1662495177

Northwoods Flyer

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 2:54 PM

Northwoods - In your world, September means icicles on the North Pier lighthouse, does it not...?Laugh

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • From: Duluth, Minnesota
  • 1,967 posts
Posted by Northwoods Flyer on Tuesday, September 6, 2022 11:40 AM

Greetings railroad folk,

In my world September has always marked the beginning of toy train season.  The weather is definitly starting to change and the daylight hours have already started to decrease.  I'm trying to motivate myself to get started on some long deferred projects.  Actually I have been trying to tell myself that for the last 3 years since I retired.  The first step will be to finish some painting projects on the basement walls and painting the base for the new layout.  At least the lighting has been changed and improved in the train areas.

I will keep you posted.

Northwoods Flyer

Greg

The Northwoods Flyer Collection

of

American Flyer Trains

"The Toy For the Boy"

  • Member since
    January 2019
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 9,728 posts
Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, September 5, 2022 11:29 AM

fifedog
ANDDDD...the 43 won last night!!! 

Well that's great to hear!

Even if the 43 car doesn't look like it's supposed to anymore!  Wink

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • 8,049 posts
Posted by fifedog on Monday, September 5, 2022 9:13 AM

Mornin' gu HOLY COW MY 43 WAS IN VICTORY LANE! YES! Embarrassed Heh-hmm. Pardon me. Yes, um where was I. Raining and 70's along the Patterson Creek cut-off. No Labor Day plans, just trying to finish the plaster work on the layout.

Thunderstorm last night, so Wifey and I had FifeMax in the train room for a bit. She was really complimenting my achievements, and asked about future projects. She's not crazy about the grey color on the shelves though.

Spent all day Friday and Saturday at the chapter caboose and the RR museum. Talked to a lot of nice folks. We might be moving into the WM Station in the near future.

Hope everyone has a nice Labor Day.

ANDDDD...the 43 won last night!!! Big SmileYeah

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Hightstown, NJ
  • 2,886 posts
Posted by anjdevil2 on Friday, September 2, 2022 11:10 AM

Good Afternoon 

Brought over a few more things last night, as I had to help the Princess pack for her camping trip.

I started a spreadsheet so whatever goes up stairs cand be logged and accounted for.  

Shopping and making dinner on tap tonight, work as usual tomorrow.  We may go and see Top Gun at a local theatre, it's National Cinema Day, so tickets are $3 + tax.

Trip to Mountain Top, PA on Monday, hope to finally get the N scale layout home.

That's all from here for now

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


Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER

Get the Classic Toy Trains newsletter delivered to your inbox twice a month