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Pop-pop-pop-crackle-fizz… July Coffee Pot. Serving flapjacks with strawberries, blueberries, and grits for 19 years Locked

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Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Saturday, July 29, 2023 7:48 PM

Evening, 

I ordered a few things from Mr. Muffin's Trains and will be awaiting their arrival. (ICG box car, N&W 2-bay coal hopper and a GM&O gondola) I also ordered a book "Illinois Central Gulf in Color Volume 3: The Sparta District." 
Other than that, not much going on at the moment.

KRM
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Posted by KRM on Friday, July 28, 2023 12:34 PM

Hey been busy with sick grandkidsand and lots of other stuff. Boy it is hot! Going to try to hit 100 here on The North Bluff today so I may have to hide in the basement and run trains. 

Doug. We got those yellow jackets as well, this stuff I get from menards works good. Put the extention tube on and fill the entrance hole with this stuff. Cover the hole and repete if you need to. Works great.

Spectracide® Foaming Aerosol Carpenter Bee & Yellowjacket Killer - 16 oz. at Menards®

Fife, that is a very good review I saw it to. But he should of showed the great way those run at slow speeds as well. I am very happyy with mine so far. Yes

Got to get!

 

 

 

 

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, July 28, 2023 7:00 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Stinkin' HOT in the Potomac Highlands. I will head to the Chapter caboose this morning, but will get myself and our 80 year old secretary home by noon, after the scenic train heads west.

I can see my bar again, which means the scenery project is done. It was a foam mountain backdrop that had N-scale buildings embedded into it. When the hotel/station went in (HO-ish scale) the small structures didn't work for me anymore. The backdrop was too round also, so chiseled it away some and added more foliage. Still not totally happy with this section, but will do for the time being. Running my Chessie stuff currently.

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Posted by pennytrains on Thursday, July 27, 2023 10:00 PM

Well I've been playing Train Station 2 on my phone Big Smile. That's about all the rail related stuff I've accomplished Laugh

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Thursday, July 27, 2023 6:47 PM

Evening, everyone.

Not much to report train wise today, I watched a couple of DVD's of the Illinois Central during the "Death Star" era in the 1990's prior to the CN merger. 

Will purchase some GarGraves stainless steel track for my IC-themed HiRail layout soon.

 

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Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 4:30 PM

Evenin' guys  and gals. Sunny and 91 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. Don't mind the heat, it's those nasty mountain flies that run me inside. Fried pork chops and taters for supper. And then I need to get in the train room and chisel down an old mountain section.

Checked out Eric's Trains review of the newest Menard's diesel. This one is an AB set in Union Pacific. Looks like a vast improvement over past offerings.

If only Bachmann would remember they still have the Williams line...Sigh

Doug - I don't mess with yellowjackets. I call the bug guy.

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 8:17 AM

Aloha. I was pretty tired all day yesterday due to our weekend adventures in Chicago (taking the daughter and her friends out for her bday and my wife going to a Beyonce concert with her) but managed a pesto pasta and garlic bread dinner, trying a different sauce - braising the garlic which i haven't done before and grilling the brocolli instead of boiling it.

Today is a busy morning of meetings - and between the bad air quality and the supposed high temps, I'll wait until evening to take the doggos out for a walk. If I have a 'window' of time, I will want to spackle some holes in the laundry room wall - this is the only room that still has the house's original wallpaper I finally want to tackle and take down.

I also battled some more with another ground nest of yellow jackets. Boy, those critters are sure ornery!

Fife, great photos! I was reminded by social media that on this day a decade ago, my youngest and I were exploring the Mad River train museum in Ohio

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by pennytrains on Monday, July 24, 2023 9:50 PM

Cool Big SmileThumbs Up

Big Smile  Same me, different spelling!  Big Smile

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Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Monday, July 24, 2023 4:20 PM

Went around my track plan at the site of my planned layout to count how many pieces of track I'll need.

When I build the trackplan, I'll mainly operate RDC's as well as trolleys, galloping goose, and some trains as well!

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, July 24, 2023 5:50 AM

Mornin' boys. Sunny and mild along the Alleghany front-range. Dust has settled after the grandsons' visit to Fifedom. Oldest boy is returning in a few weeks, so looking forward to adding another train shelf or two. Grandmom and I will be babysitting today over at nurse princess's castle.

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Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Sunday, July 23, 2023 8:32 PM

Evening,

Not much going on here, train wise.

I'm just going to sit here and relax.

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Posted by smokey1 on Sunday, July 23, 2023 6:30 PM

Mars here, yes.

KRM
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  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Sunday, July 23, 2023 5:38 PM

Earth to Mars??????????

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Sunday, July 16, 2023 6:37 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Wet and humid in the Potomac Highlands. Had a nice day of train fun with grandson yesterday. Started off with a trip to the caboose, in which he explored every nook and cranny. Took some video of him greeting WMSR 558 (no 1309 anytime soon...), and then he played on the station playground (shaped like a steamer). Took him over to see the CSX roundhouse and turntable, and he enjoyed seeing all the diesels about. I had info that the town's only hobby shop had picked up a nice collection of Lionel MPC, and grandson picked out a nice SP gondola, and he also scored a CP flat with pup trailers. Then it was down to the train room to run his new freight.

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Saturday, July 15, 2023 9:47 PM

KRM
I hate these POP ups!!!!!  One more nail in the coffin.

I'm getting the bloody things too now.  Adblock will stop them but I have to remember to turn it on. For. Each. Site. And it's not just here, I'm getting them everywhere. 

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Posted by TheWaysideRailroader on Saturday, July 15, 2023 9:06 PM

Hi, everyone.

Not much has been going on train wise, a friend went to the Southeastern Railway Museum in Duluth, GA and bought me a sign that says "Train Parking Only. All others will be side-tracked, and an Illinois Central "Death Star" logo pin!

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Posted by smokey1 on Saturday, July 15, 2023 12:14 PM

KRM

I hate these POP ups!!!!!  One more nail in the coffin. Laugh

 

I don't know if I'm lucky or because I'm using DuckDuckgo, but I'm not getting them. 

Afternoon all. We got 4.5" of rain yesterday in 45 minutes. I've never seen the creek behind our house more than 4 or 5 inches deep, normally about 2 or 3 inches deep. the enbankment is about 6' deep, yesterday it was flooded about 75' out which is a gradule upgrade (about 1' in the 75') and about 10' from our fence. I could see out to the creek area, and it looked like a rushing river going. 

Otherwise not a lot going on here today. 

KRM
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  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Saturday, July 15, 2023 9:24 AM

I hate these POP ups!!!!!  One more nail in the coffin. Laugh

 Nice here this morning but going to get HOT.

Went to mow grass yesterday and as soon as I put the blades in gear the belt flew off. Bang Head  So I looked around and the main idler had wasted itself. I pulled the belt covers off and checked and all three idlers were totaled or ready to be. Spun the spindles on the two on the outside I could reach they seemed fine. I had to drive about 20 miles to get the idlers and when I got home, I pulled the deck off and replaced them. So, when I had the deck off, I spun the middle spindle and would you know,,,,it is noisy. Bang Head Bang Head Oh well I went ahead and put it together and did the grass. I will have to order new spindles for another day. Embarrassed

Today is birthday party for the youngest grandson, wow he is 10 already! I must be getting old.


Best get!

 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Friday, July 14, 2023 8:09 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Cloudy and 72 along the Patterson Creek cut-off. We will be picking up the 5 year old grandson today, and he will be at Pops camp for the next week. He is my train fan, so lots of activity in the train room, and probably a trip to the caboose. The toddler grandson is his best buddy, so Butch and Sundance ride again.

CowboyYup.

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, July 10, 2023 7:57 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Sunny & pleasant along the Patterson Creek cut-off. After finishing the Chapter caboose, getting the hotel/station to "fit" on the Flyer loop, and mowing the front lawn between the raindrops, I'm taking the day off. Fun Nascar race last night.

KRM - Fun video. Glad you got a couple of good engines from BIG "M".Smile, Wink & Grin

KRM
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  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Saturday, July 8, 2023 12:15 PM

Kind of nice here on The North Bluff above Marseilles. Mid 70s today and we have picked up about 4" of MUCH needed rain in the last week. Boy do the corn and beans look happy.

 Been spending some time running the two new Menards F units. They have been running fine since I gave the red one a lube job.

Thats about it from here.

https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOwyn6ovYEE_lgTXrdOnPZgM9k6v5XCIuPmSeMoKReQBIxIGoipFPW6nnzkTGYTdw/photo/AF1QipOJ3THjhofwFf96zurWVU5TEoMxxi2HUYGdG5ic?key=SHFpUGV2aHdQcl9WaTRkMFFxRk9uaXNubExFY1R3

 

 

 

Joined 1-21-2011    TCA 13-68614

Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by fifedog on Saturday, July 8, 2023 6:47 AM

Mornin' boys and girls. In a bit of a heatwave along the Alleghany front-range. It's been a challenge to get the caboose squared away. Even more of a challenge to get our 80-something chapter member to get home by noon... BTW, the bulletin board and number board cleaned up nicely, and now are on display inside CRR 1072. Yes

On the home front, making slow progress on the false front hotel/station. This will radically change the skyline in my city section, as I've started carving out sections of scenery along the Flyer loop. Woof.

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Thursday, July 6, 2023 10:39 AM

THAT'S a GREAT idea --- I'll look into that Fife!!

I have to tell ya, even the coupe back seat was roomy, Jenni took it out on Tueday night and we took a friend out for ice cream.  I was in the back kinda lazed out.  It does have a bench seat and Ms. Jenni LOVES that part, 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


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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 6, 2023 9:23 AM

anjdevil - Perhaps you can take a tub of Hotwheels to each car show/gathering, and sell them to good homes...? As for the Diplomats, we'll the only thing GOOD I have to say, is as police cars they had a heckofa lot more room than today's fleet of Taurus.

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Posted by anjdevil2 on Thursday, July 6, 2023 8:53 AM

Good Morning - Sorry, it' s been a while

We've been chugging right along, here.  Everyweekend it's been something new.

I went to a larger storage unit, and it has been all trains, diecast and hot wheels.  The estate wants to get the house empty by year's end so all the "toys" go into storage until the big toy box is built behind Jenni's house.  I'm looking into desolving most of the Hot Wheels inventory - and there is a lot.

After a few purchases last month, I'm on lock down as far as train buying.  I purchased a new toy, a 1980 Dodge Diplomat with a very strong small block and automatic transmission.  I wanted some thing I could work on and play with (since my road runner convertible is a rare car), and this fits the bill.  I miss my 71 Dodge Demon (which I had to sell while in Florida) so this will be a nice replacement.

We're still looking at funding the big toy box, and waiting for a call back from Jeni's mortgage lender.

KRM - Glad you like the Menards engine - I like mine in the limited time I have run it.

Elle - Nice pick ups.  I always look under the tables at train shows, sometimes that's where the "junk" piles and cheap stuff are. 

Fife - That's a nice pick up on the number board.  So far - with Virtual Rail Fan - I've seen the Chessie, Seaboard and B&O - Very cool paint schemes.  I really like the Chessie and on the NS side - the Jersey Central.

92F later and it is VERY humid right now.  We'll se what the evening holds, I'd like to head to the Friendly's Cruise tonight, but if it's too humid, might hold off.

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


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Posted by fifedog on Thursday, July 6, 2023 6:59 AM

Mornin' guys and gals. Sunny & 69 at present, but supposed to feel like 102 later today. Gonna fill up FifeMax pool for him, as he loves to dip his paws.

Brought home an antique bulletin board, and a number board off Chessie 7702, to clean up and take to the Chapter Caboose.

KRM
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  • From: North Bluff above Marseilles IL
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Posted by KRM on Monday, July 3, 2023 3:47 PM

Well the house is quiet, Nico the Belgian Malinois has gone home. Are dog and cat seem happy. Smile, Wink & Grin

Hot today, yeah I saw the reviews but if you read anything on OGR,,,, if God made it they would find fault. Why I got my own and held off to 4.5. I have been talking with Ray @ Menards and a conventional switch is something they know about and he agrees with. I don't know what it would to cost. As for this controler it works as good as any of the LionChief I have.  My LionChief GP20 BNSF 2050 is the worst engine I have ever got. it runs off out of control and cost more than I spent for two of these Menards units. And you can't even get parts for it.  So I took the dip.

Fife, You have never been to Road America or Mid Ohio? Street or road course I love the option to move around the track. Even Indy, when you have 2 miles of race you can't see much from one seat. Anyone can run around in a banked toilet bowl. Laugh I would not just sit in one spot and I like the left and right moves. To each his own.

Well the pup wants a Gator rid, best get.

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Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL. Whistling

 

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Posted by Flintlock76 on Monday, July 3, 2023 11:49 AM

fifedog
Kev - Sharp looking diesel, and glad you like it. Some of the reviews have been unflattering.

It IS a sharp-looking diesel and I'm glad it's worked out well for you Kev!

Yes, there's been some unflattering reviews on the Menards diesel issues I won't go into.  I don't own one myself but the thing I find a little disturbing about it is there's no conventional control option, say by flipping a switch.  I've got a LionChief GP20 that has the conventional control option, if it didn't I wouldn't have bought it.  As it was I tried the remote just to see what it was like and it worked very well, but after the test I pulled the batteries and put the remote in a drawer.

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Posted by fifedog on Monday, July 3, 2023 8:53 AM

Mornin' guys & gals. Overcast and 70, with occasional Lightning today. I have to get new buns; hotdog and hamburger, at the grocery store. Then have to go to Middle Princess's to paint Leo's wall art, and hang pics.

Kev - Sharp looking diesel, and glad you like it. Some of the reviews have been unflattering.

Nascar race had cool ending, but I don't care for street racing, except Monaco of course. I would never attend that style of event. As a fan, what could you see...?

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