Evening,
Just looking forward to a softball game I'm playing in tomorrow, not much else.
Am going to be looking for more Illinois Central Gulf/Gulf, Mobile and Ohio stuff (Been interested in them lately)
Howdy All,
We are in Kingman Az, and headed home tomorrow! Been a great trip, only a few small issues to overcome;
- 1st night, realized I left shaving and toiletry kit at home! So an unplanned trip to Walmart and fully recovered.
- 4th or 5th day, lost my credit card, so got it cancelled.
- 6th day found CC (was with laptop)
- 7th through 14th day lost atleast half of the motel room keys.
But all in all have had a great trip! (Didn't loose Kay, she is still with me).
Take care all and be safe!
Don
Yesterday Lady Firestorm and I along with some houseguests visited James Madison's Montpelier estate, fascinating place even though James and Dolley weren't home.
On the way back we stopped in an antiques mall on Route 15 in Gordonsville because "Why not?" Low and behold I picked up two Lionel Post-war articles, a streamlined whistle tender and an SP style caboose with lights, and both for $22! Sure, they need some TLC but I can handle that easily. Hey, if you see an antiques/collectibles place on your travels stop in, you never know what you'll find!
By the way the name of the place is Gordonsville Antiques, at 403 James Madison Highway (Route 15). Not a ton of train stuff in there but it's a real wonderland!
Mornin' guys and gals. Rain and 55 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. I may run up to the museum afterwhile, if only to drop off a picture I'm donating for the Chapter's sale table at next week's train show, at the Allegany Co fairgrounds.
Had a very nice time at the Washington Co Ag Center show, yesterday. Mike accompanied me to Boonesboro, and it's fun hearing his talk about life as a Chessie/CSX engineer. As we crossed over the old WM Williamsport Hill, he described what it was like in the cab of a Dash-8, getting into and around Hagerstown. We weren't at the show 5 minutes, and they called his name for the door prize! In two hours, I had purchased a Lionel 726RR and whistling tender, a Lionel Monsanto LCCA tank car, two Lionel PRR boxcars (circa '94), a Lionel Bethlehem gon from a set break up, a couple of bayonnet base bulbs, and a signed and numbered Cincinattian print, by Peter Lerro. All that for under $200.
Worked up a good appetite, and Mike treated me to Primanti Bros for lunch. I had never been there, and we both had the PB Rubin. Excellent. Then came back home and cleaned and ran the new acquisitions.
Northwoods - How are you getting a Nor'Easter? I thought that was a Mid-Atlantic thing...
Good Morning,
Its 37 degrees, overcast and light rain here overlooking the St Louis Bay. The high will be about 44 degrees and we can look forward to similar weather through Monday. There may be a few snowflakes mixed in here, however t he South Shore of Lake Superior is predicted to get another 1 to 2 feet. Yes you read that right.
Another good day for staying inside and working on those never ending projects. Our grandson is coming this afternoon to spend the night with us. That means that some of the projects will be in the train room. He loves to poke through the boxes with me and create a floor layout. So after 60 - 80 years my toys are still entertaining a young imaginative mind.
fife, I for one would like to see another video of your layout. Part of the fun of this hobby is being an armchair participant with other train folk.
Have a great weekend.
Northwoods Flyer Greg
The Northwoods Flyer Collection
of
American Flyer Trains
"The Toy For the Boy"
Mornin' guys and gals. Clearing and 49 in the Potomac Highlands. Should be a nice drive to Boonesboro for the train show at the Ag Center. My engineer buddy, Mike, will be tagging' along.
On the home front, Wifey traveled with Middle Princess to Morgantown for check-up. Leo is coming along, but won't be as big as his older brother. Should save on groceries in a dozen years, I guess... Youngest Princess is home from college. Graduation is next weekend. Some of you reading this will be feeling a little older now.
I spent the better part of yesterday rotating the trains, with a more Postwar flavor this month. Running 5 trains at once (4 on the layout,1 on the floor), including 4 PW steam engines, left me pretty jazzed afterwards. There was the occasional pile-up, but that actually added to the experience. Simple pleasure. Let me know if you would like a video on this.
Evening everyone,
not much going on here lately, I did draw a blueprint of a proposed new layout for a friend who will help me build it. (Progress will go on my YouTube channel)
Mornin' guys and gals. Rain and 54 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. My day hasn't been decided for me yet....
Yesterday was nice. Ms. Kelly had me prep and move her front porch furniture outside. USPS left a package that I hadn't been expecting. My buddy, Tom, gifted me a Z4000 remote, and a Lionel Celanese tank car he had picked up. That was cool. Then UPS dropped off me Charles Ro purchase, an AF 4-pack of WM hoppers. So I had a "mini-York" here at home. Had lasagna, then headed to the train room the rest of the evening.
Great score on the ZW by the sound of it!!
I have a ZW I still need to overhaul... the "U" bus bar needs re-connecting, and all of the rollers need replacing- cord too. I haven't gotten to it yet, but I was so excited when I acquired it almost 2 years ago. I got it for dirt cheap, and I mean dirt cheap. Total steal. My first ZW! Eventually, I'll overhaul it.
-Ellie
anjdevil2The Red Caboose Motel for dinner - don't laugh, the meals there are pretty damn good.
Absolutely! We ate there once on a Strasburg visit and enjoyed the meal tremendously!
pennytrains fifedog Then I started thinking, what about NIKE missile sites? I picked up a pair of repop Marx Nike missile launchers cheap last fall. Obviously they were made for 1:32 54mm figures but they look more to scale with 1:48.
fifedog Then I started thinking, what about NIKE missile sites?
I picked up a pair of repop Marx Nike missile launchers cheap last fall. Obviously they were made for 1:32 54mm figures but they look more to scale with 1:48.
Great score!
I bought a ZW on eBay the other day. They took the cover off and you could see the U brass bar was loose off of the U post above the C & D post. But bought it on the cheap as others where afraid because of that. Got it in today and the roller to the A controller was crimped so tight it would not roll and was flat on part hitting the coils. Right down to the controller arm. The other 3 where great and infact once open no damage to the coils actually and one of the nices set of coils I have seen from a transformer that I'm guessing is 66 years old, as it had original instructions dated 7-57
Not much going on around here today. Kinda out of it, so I didn't do squat. Rainy today and calling it for next 3 days also.
fifedogThen I started thinking, what about NIKE missile sites?
Same me, different spelling!
Good Morning!!!
Sorry - long time away
So, to catch everyone up -
We are in the middle of procuring a 24 X 24 2 story garage with agambrel roof (for space). The bottom is for the Charger and the road runner, the Vespa and the Road Star (and all my tools). The 2nd story is for trains and diecast cars. It will be a livable space with heat, AC, carpeting and insulated walls, shelves, a table or 2, couch and cozy chairs. Planning on WiFi as well. A movable/storable 13' HO scale Drag Strip with return road is also in the planning stages. Current O scale layout plan is 5' or 6' x 18' with an "L" on on side about 7' long.
We have plans in hand and need to make another visit to the township for details on foundation and placement. Deadline October 2023. We'll finish the upstairs first, then the garage. Once the 2nd floor is done, we'll have an open house with trains and HO scale drags.
We've slowed down train purchases as we're probably going to have to move out of Mom's house within a year. One or some of the siblings have their hand(s) out and want the estate liquified. So, we're making moves to get stuff in storage or to Jenni's house as space and time allows.
We have reservations for the May 21st trip on the 611, since the Queen of Steam is leaving for Virginia after Memorial Day. We'll see if we can get to the PA Museum of Railroading prior to thier 4 PM Closing. The Red Caboose Motel for dinner - don't laugh, the meals there are pretty damn good. Then to the Toy Train Museum and see if we can find our late beloved friend Banks brick. Too bad that museum will be closed by the time we get there.
That's pretty much what's been happening here. We also purchased a car trailer for those times we bring 1 car or need to drop one off somewhere with 1 driver.
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
fifedogFlint - I was really surprised to hear that Trainworld pulled out of the show mid-Friday.
That's odd, I was in the Orange Hall at least until noon when I left to see the other halls, I was back in there again around 4:00 and I'm sure Trainworld was still there. However, on Saturday there were reports of some VERY nasty weather coming (I drove through it on the way home, I ran into it south of Bowie MD and it like was driving through a brushless car wash!) so the TCA gave exhibitors the OK to pull out early if they wished. As a rule the TCA doesn't want exhibitors to pull out before 2:00 PM on Saturday, violate that rule and you may not be allowed back. (So they say.)
Mornin' guys and gals. Sunny and 50 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Will spend the day over Middle Princess's, painting her formal sitting room. This begins a month long series of Daddy-Do's, prior to Leo's arrival.
Flint - I was really surprised to hear that Trainworld pulled out of the show mid-Friday. And I DO miss seeing Lionel at the show. My buddy was in the red hall, and said he had his second best show (sales wise) ever.
Got an email AD from MENARD'S, announcing their new Rocket Launch Tower. Looks great, but I immediately thought it would only look appropriate on a layout based in Coco Beach or Houston. Then I started thinking, what about NIKE missile sites? They would have to be recessed in the scenery base, but you could have them anywhere in the US. Perhaps someone could even have an opening silo hatch to reveal a test launch sequence. Makes you kinda long for those Cold War days...
Thanks 'Fife!
Don't feel bad, Lionel wasn't there either, in fact they weren't at the October show either from what I've been told. And apparantly they weren't missed either, which should tell them something. Nobody was complaining Lionel wasn't there, at least no-one I heard.
MTH was there all right!
As I understand it the gent running Charle Ro now (Charles Ro the Younger?) doesn't like doing train shows and really doesn't see the need. Considering what's involved I can't say I blame him, however it should make everyone appreciate the efforts of all who DO display at shows!
Mornin' guys and gals, from a frosty Patterson Creek cut-off. Freeze warnings today and tomorrow. Already dropped off Grandmom to watch toddler, and I'll trap her some breakfast afterwhile.
Flint - Nice "haul" from YORK. Neither myself nor Charles Ro were there in the orange hall, but they did have a sale, so I ordered a 4-pack of AF WM hoppers, and saved $80. It consoled me...
Flintlock76 Well folks, I finally made the "Holy Pilgrimage" to the Eastern Division of the TCA train meet at York Pennsylvania. A six-hour drive up from Virginia and I skillfully managed to avoid all those maniacs on Routes 95, 695, and 83 who seemingly were out to kill me! Me! ME of all people! Jeez! Anyway, I had a good time at the show and met some fun people there. I must have been having a good time, I started in the big Orange Hall at 9:00 AM and the next time I looked at my watch it was 3:00 PM, and that was AFTER I'd gone through three halls! I don't know where I got the energy from but I was paying for it today. Ow. Anyway, I did pretty good and found some things I've been looking for, like this: https://www.legacystation.com/mth-30-1704-1-union-pacific-4-6-2-45995-43343.html Yep, the Union Pacific's streamlined steam engine rail historians have called "The Slug." So ugly it's beautiful! Got it for $250, a pretty good deal. Then there's this: https://train-station.com/Pages/archives/Library/6-18004.html A good old classic conventional Lionel Pacific from the late 1980's. This one's got the "Mighty Sound of Steam." Still works too, in fact I'm not sure it was used at all. I ran it a bit this afternoon just ong enough to be annoyed by the "MSOS." No biggie, I've got an REA Express car with a Williams whistle and bell unit in it so I'll run the engine with that. Nice piece, and I got it for $135. THEN I ran into THIS: https://www.grahamstrains.com/store/Williams-Reading-Railroad-King-Coal-6-Car-60-Semi-Scale-Madison-Passenger-Car-Set.html A six-pack of Reading passenger cars, also apparantly unused and for $150! What a deal! The four-packs used to sell for that much! And to top things off, something to go with my pre-war 259e: https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lionel-1679-baby-ruth-box-car-boxcar-1695761166 The tinplate Baby Ruth car, with the sliced Baby Ruth on it! Of course this dates from the days when candy bars were the size of bricks, you sure couldn't slice a Baby Ruth like that now! And this was $10! All-in-all a pretty good weekend! I'm glad I went but man, am I exhausted!
Well folks, I finally made the "Holy Pilgrimage" to the Eastern Division of the TCA train meet at York Pennsylvania. A six-hour drive up from Virginia and I skillfully managed to avoid all those maniacs on Routes 95, 695, and 83 who seemingly were out to kill me! Me! ME of all people! Jeez!
Anyway, I had a good time at the show and met some fun people there. I must have been having a good time, I started in the big Orange Hall at 9:00 AM and the next time I looked at my watch it was 3:00 PM, and that was AFTER I'd gone through three halls! I don't know where I got the energy from but I was paying for it today. Ow.
Anyway, I did pretty good and found some things I've been looking for, like this:
https://www.legacystation.com/mth-30-1704-1-union-pacific-4-6-2-45995-43343.html
Yep, the Union Pacific's streamlined steam engine rail historians have called "The Slug." So ugly it's beautiful! Got it for $250, a pretty good deal.
Then there's this:
https://train-station.com/Pages/archives/Library/6-18004.html
A good old classic conventional Lionel Pacific from the late 1980's. This one's got the "Mighty Sound of Steam." Still works too, in fact I'm not sure it was used at all. I ran it a bit this afternoon just ong enough to be annoyed by the "MSOS." No biggie, I've got an REA Express car with a Williams whistle and bell unit in it so I'll run the engine with that. Nice piece, and I got it for $135.
THEN I ran into THIS:
https://www.grahamstrains.com/store/Williams-Reading-Railroad-King-Coal-6-Car-60-Semi-Scale-Madison-Passenger-Car-Set.html
A six-pack of Reading passenger cars, also apparantly unused and for $150! What a deal! The four-packs used to sell for that much!
And to top things off, something to go with my pre-war 259e:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/lionel-1679-baby-ruth-box-car-boxcar-1695761166
The tinplate Baby Ruth car, with the sliced Baby Ruth on it! Of course this dates from the days when candy bars were the size of bricks, you sure couldn't slice a Baby Ruth like that now! And this was $10!
All-in-all a pretty good weekend! I'm glad I went but man, am I exhausted!
Mornin' guys and gals. Cold and cloudy on the Alleghany front-range. Brrrr. Had to bring the potted plants and palm tree in last night. Have to transport Ms. Kelly to Middle Princess's castle, then head up to the RR museum. Then come home and watch 'Dega race. Then might order something on sale at Charles Ro. We'll see.
Good Evening all, (even tho its morning now).
Still here in Wis., So far everything has exceded my expectations!
Got out of Superior with temp at 30 deg, & 30 mile winds, and Chill Factor of 10! And Sleet thrown in to, fortunately it cleared up quickly. Had a pleasant driver over to Crivitz and found everything we wanted! Both sets of my paternal great grandparents houses. The Baker ancestors house is still standing, built in the 1890's, and some modifications have been done of course. I went to the door and met the current owner, he was quite pleasant and we had a good conversation. Much of what I remember is still there! The family had quite a bit of acerage and a great uncle sold a few hundred acres off for a housing deveolpment. "Baker Lane" has since been created. And I was able to fill in a few gaps of history.
Then went about 3 miles away where my grandmother was raised and her family had property. (Nesters Corners). The corner store/bar/gas station was sold about 2006, and I met the owner, and a 2nd cousing who lives in the area. Her son was the most recent family member who owned it, and now has another facility near by. Again much of the property was familiar. We did donate the 2 trophies to them (17pt buck, and white mountain goat from Alaska, as well as 3 local mounted fish.) They were quite pleased! And the new place is called Uncle Mikes Corner. Of course there is a "Nester Road" there too. Found more relatives in Milwaukee but will let that go for now.
So leaving there we headed down to Green Bay, and visited Lambaue Field and spent a couple hours on tour. Then over to the Train Museum. For a small town it is really well done! Included with in is the 4017 Big Boy, 8045 GG!, Gen Dwight D Eisenhower Freedom Train, and an Aerotrain. Plus they have a number of other very interesting pieces. (If I can figure out how to post some pics I will, I used to use Shutterfly, but that has been disabled.)
So now we are in Milwaukee visiting some of Kay's family, and that is real cool! Proably leave here Mon or Tuesday headed for Branson. Might be going through MY home town, (Rockford, Ill), but not to concerned no family there anymore, just some buildings and memories.
Sure would like to visit some of you all, John Ernhardt, Doug (Chicago), Kevin, and even Roy, but time is getting critical and don't know how I can make that happen.11
Chris really likes the truck, I think its pretty good too!! He bought a Toneou Cover for it, that looks really greaty. We've been discussing the fact that the truck can use Flex/Fuel (85 octane), but question the advantage versus the small price break potential MPG impact. So have to figure that out.
I don't know if I mentioned but I also got another vehicle sold while I was in Superior, a 2004 Pontiac Grand Am, has 56,600 miles. It was in really good shape as well. Body was extremely clean, it too lived in garage its life. Sold it to a guy 44 yrs old with 8 kids and didn't have dependable xportation. Gave him a good deal.
So have a good day and take care!!
He was extremely excited about it. Said he only had 1 car and needed a 2nd.
Morning all,
Sunny at 62* going to 71* today, a little cooler than earlier in the week where we were hitting low 80's.
Our first rose of the year so to me summer has arrived.
Have more mulch to put out today, somewhere around 25 bags in the back of the truck then we will see how much more we need.
Suppose to get my 402 that my friend has worked on for me in TN. I've never seen this one in person, it was bought as a project engine. Wheels needed replacing and one coupler. I have 3 I'm taking to friend about 1 1/2 hrs away Tuesday, 1 just needs new brushes, another needs a brush spring back in and brushes and put back together, ( I basically rewired it last night ) and the last one needs completely rewired and new wheels, plus check things like brushes and all. I have one more on a shelf which is complete and fine with it's original passenger cars, That gives me a total of 5. one is getting repainted as is it's passenger cars. They are really rough as in lost of paint. I have learned a lot since getting these, there is two different periods for the passenger cars the first period was 1923/24 they had 4 wheel trucks ( this is the set I'm repainting) the next period was 1925-1927, these had 6 wheel trucks.
Otherwise not much going on. Hope all have a good weekend.
Hey all!Been quiet but I'm very much alive and kicking...
There's been a lot of nice weather, and I've spent my available time looking for electrical insulators along some old power lines in the area (didn't have much luck with the old railroad telegraph lines around here).
Today didn't yield many treasures, but my hike took me out to the railroad, and my timing was perfect to catch the Northbound that usually passes through town sometime in the afternoon.
I got a package in the mail today from a good friend- he sent over an engine for me to service for him, as well as some things he found for me at an antique mall- the most noteable items are an american flyer crossing flasher (with two trips), a Lionel 0545 Erie 44-tonner (with original manual), a mint-in-the-box 0900 unloading platform, and mint-in-the-box 0349 turbo missile car.
Will post pictures later, if I remember to that is
Last weekend I managed to pick up some phospher bronze sheet and some very thin brass sheet, I'm planning to use both to improve and/or replace electrical pickups on some of my equipment. Very excited about that!
PS: The bell on the crossing doesn't ring, and looks like the metal bell has shrunk somehow and split in several places. Is this a common issue? I haven't checked yet but I figure somebody must carry replacements.
Afternoon guys and gals. 80's and cloudin' up in the Potomac Highlands. Spent the day weedin', mowin', trimmin' and mulchin'. After that, Fifey was stinkin'. Worked my tookus off;see, it's all gone.
All cleaned up now, waiting for the girls to return from shopping with fried chicken and ice cream sundaes.
If I were at YORK, right now I'd be making another pass thru the member halls, before heading to the Orange at 5. And, I would be minding those arrows you best believe.
Presently 82*, I was putting mulch out until 2 P.M. called it a day at that point, Will get back at it tomorrow morning.
I have a standard gauge #402 ( dual motors) I need to rewire, someone rewired it at one point with what looks like telephone wire from the 70's. They run on the 42" diameter track fine as each 4 wheel motor is independent to the other.
Otherwise not much going on here.
WOW Don, what a small world. I have been going to Crivitz Wi. since 1996. I have made at least 100 trips up there and more closley Silver Cliff and Athelstane about 20 miles northwest. Anything you need you have to drive back to Crivitz. My old neighbor Mark has 200 ac up there and his family has another 200 connected to his. We have made many trips up building out his and his dad's property. One year in the late 90s I went up 12 times to help build a large storage barn for his dad's place. He is now building a real log cabin with trees from the property. Cool project but a bit much for him at his age these days. I know that area very well. It is nice and secluded.
76 here and strong wind. rain on and off but cold weather coming in over the weekend for a spell. April you know.
Not a lot else.
Don, when you go to see the Packers, there is a nice train shop on Velp Av. very close.
Also on the way to Branson you and Kay can swing by here if you want and get a free nights rest. Just take 141 to 41 to 43 west to 39 and at 80 head east over here, you know the way. Keeps you out of the Chicago mess coming south. We would love to have you, just give me a call.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
Good Morning Folks,
Don, I'm glad things went well with the truck. It was great to meet you. I hope you have a safe journey during the rest of your vacation and on the way home.
Winter just doesn't want to let go of its grasp on the Northland. Its 33 degrees and overcast. We had some snow and freezing rain overnight. This is suppposed to last into Saturday morning with the worst of it moving through today into the night. We will most definitely set a new record for the snowiest winter.
I hope folks are having a great time at York. The one trip that I made there was for a Fall show and it was memorable.
Have a great day.
Northwoods Flyer
Greg
Mornin' guys and gals. Sunny & 54 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Might hit 90 today, so Ms. Kelly wants to deep clean the front porch.
Attended NRHS meeting last night, and Wes Heinz, WMSR, was the speaker. Gave updates on past year, C&O 1309, and future plans.
Don - Safe travels back to LA LA Land. Keep checkin' in, please.
Mitchie - When I heard of your new grandson, I immediately thought how the SOO Line red-white-black reminds me of the WM circus scheme...
Good to hear things are going well on your adventure to Wisconsin Don. I love a road trip. York is not quite as well attended as it was a few years back, pre-pandemic. Like you Don, I really don't need more trains. I still go for the camaraderie. I have three college buddies that are into trains and we have a blast on Fridays at York. Many times the only things I buy are lunch and maybe a part I need for a repair. Of course now I'm on the hunt for trains for Charlie, although he's a tad young to run a train set yet .
Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839
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