CLOSED////////The Coffee Pot is still on and over 3 years. Here we gather as friends with trains.

[tmcc man]

Good afternoon everyone,

Welcome home John F.

JimA thats really cool that your grandfather worked on the other bridge. My grandfather helped build the BlueRoute in Pa.

88, yea they do need my help. I was thinkig of being an auto salesman for a little while. I think it would be a good job and I think I would be good at it since I could identify all the cars......(not to brag)

Well, it was a good day here. The knee was hurting a little today and I made the mistake of using stairs from the first floor all the way to the third. So, all in all it was a good day.

Have a good afternoon everyone.

 

[dbaker48]

David, just read the paper version of The Onion this morning. "Government officials, however, still refused to confirm the whereabouts of Thomas the Tank Engine, rumored to have been splintered into pieces by attack dogs in Manchuria."

I loved the article about Google launching 'The Google' for Older Adults...

Doug - This toy thing has gotta be devasting!  I couldn't imagine taking Thomas away from the kids, that he could be dangerous.  I know when Chris was a toddler, we ended up getting EVERY Thomas (die-cast) engine and car made.  I think we have them all.  I'm going to make a shadow box for them.  We also have 20+ videos, Floor mats (that the engines and cars would play on,) the Round House, Dock and Heliport.  We were Thomas everything! Pajamas, bedding, dishes, you name it.  The story line was so great, it was (is) a fantastic product line.  (I even got HO track to scoot the cars along, didn't work real well.)   The die cast layout was easy to build, just move the furniture back, roll it out on the floor and play.  Spent LOTS of hours on the floor with him, playing.  It was great!    

Thanks for the memories ! 

[Jumijo]

Kurt - LOL!  I liked how everything was 'Wicked Cool'... New Englanders have a strange way of expressing themselves!  

We certainly do.

Jim - cool about your Dad working on the other bridge.  Did he also work on it's twin down the river?  When we were driving across it, it felt like it was bouncing - hope it was just the road surface not being smooth!

My grandfather. My dad built bridges as a SeaBee in WWII and Korea.

We were supposed to get a Chevy Malibu, when we got to the counter they said we were getting a Ford Mustang... when we go to the car it was a Buick Lacrosse... I think Hertz has automobile recognition problems. They need Colin to help them get the cars correct.

I bought a new Buick LaCrosse the same day that Dr. John bought his new vehicle. The old Chevy blew a head gasket. With 150,000 miles on it, I wasn't about to have it fixed.

 

[Anonymous]

Kurt - LOL!  I liked how everything was 'Wicked Cool'... New Englanders have a strange way of expressing themselves!  When we were walking around Plymouth we saw the Puritan Woman Fountain (or something like that) and Susan says, 'I could dress like that.'  Ummm... Yeah... Right... I told her she had the haircut for it... then I got hit!

Jim - cool about your Dad working on the other bridge.  Did he also work on it's twin down the river?  When we were driving across it, it felt like it was bouncing - hope it was just the road surface not being smooth!

We were supposed to get a Chevy Malibu, when we got to the counter they said we were getting a Ford Mustang... when we go to the car it was a Buick Lacrosse... I think Hertz has automobile recognition problems. They need Colin to help them get the cars correct.

[kpolak]

We were at the Cape a few years ago...after our first was born.  Nice place and nice people.  Hard to get used to everyone saying "Hi How-a-ya."

Kurt

[cnw1995]

David, just read the paper version of The Onion this morning. "Government officials, however, still refused to confirm the whereabouts of Thomas the Tank Engine, rumored to have been splintered into pieces by attack dogs in Manchuria."

I loved the article about Google launching 'The Google' for Older Adults...

[Jumijo]

 

The bridge is used twice a day, on average. My grandfather helped build the bridge pictured behind it.

Charles Ro is nice. I love the post war trains - all mint, lining the walls. But NE Trains has that old store feel to it. The guys there are very nice. The guys at Ro are nice too, but there is no built in charm to the store. 

The Atlantic is cold up here because of all of us cold, heartless New Englanders swim in it! Conversely, the water temp is why we all have little pri...

 

Thanks Jim... Susan asked if it is still used... from all signs (RR crossing looked in good shape not far from the bridge, and the tracks leading up to it were in excellent condition) I told her I think it was... she actually had fun going through Buzzards Bay, Bourne, and the trip along Cape Cod... she even enjoyed CharlesRo (think she would have had more fun at North East, but that would have limited my buying power).

The Atlantic Ocean was COLD!!!!!  Must be all the thawed glacial ice...

[Anonymous]

That looks a lot like JohnF there... was wondering why he hadn't been posting...

Well my home internet connection took a crap last night... thanks COMCAST!  Won't be back up till tomorrow...

When I got home there was a package waiting for me from North East Trains... my MTH B&O RS-1 and Lionel Naughty and Nice hoppers!  The Naughty and Nice hoppers were a stroke of luck because they had just purchased a collection the week before and they were in the collection! So I now have all the Christmas stuff I've been wanting! One of the employees said he was thinking of buying them... I beat him to the punch!   The RS-1 was a TOTAL impulse buy!  It has a lot of weight to it and the detailing is really nice... then they let me hold it and really take a look at the detailing... SOLD!

Also opened the cars I bought while in Boston and found the K-Line Die-cast Chessie 4 bay hopper has a real coal load.  Really cool, but how do you get the coal to stay in the hopper?

JimA - This look familiar?

 

Brent I made up my coal loads with real coal.  I use the soft flexable foam cut to fit in the hoppers.  Then I put white elmers glue on it then ad the coal and put more elmers glue on it.  The glue will dry clear.  I then give it a spray paint job to cover any foam I didn;t cover.  Easy and cheap, we have lots of coal up here.  I used the rice coal it is small in size.  Easy and takes only a few hours to do.

laz57

Thanks Laz!  The load is real coal, and is 'solid' there are just a few pieces that were loose... I was thinking of using Elmers to reattach the lose coal, but wasn't sure it would look right - guess I'll give it a try!

[FJ and G]

Shocking News from China

According to “The Onion”, billed as “America’s Finest News Source” (picked up the newspaper in the stand (free) beside Washington Post), front page, Sept 27, 2007:

“BEIJING—in an attempt to assure the world’s children that the millions of Chinese-made toys currently being recalled for containing toxic lead paint and tiny choking hazards can no longer hurt them, high-level Chinese officials announced Tuesday that millions of play-things are being rounded up and immediately put to death.”

The story is rather long but it mentions them bashing in Thomas the Tank trains as well.

[laz 57]

That looks a lot like JohnF there... was wondering why he hadn't been posting...

Well my home internet connection took a crap last night... thanks COMCAST!  Won't be back up till tomorrow...

When I got home there was a package waiting for me from North East Trains... my MTH B&O RS-1 and Lionel Naughty and Nice hoppers!  The Naughty and Nice hoppers were a stroke of luck because they had just purchased a collection the week before and they were in the collection! So I now have all the Christmas stuff I've been wanting! One of the employees said he was thinking of buying them... I beat him to the punch!   The RS-1 was a TOTAL impulse buy!  It has a lot of weight to it and the detailing is really nice... then they let me hold it and really take a look at the detailing... SOLD!

Also opened the cars I bought while in Boston and found the K-Line Die-cast Chessie 4 bay hopper has a real coal load.  Really cool, but how do you get the coal to stay in the hopper?

JimA - This look familiar?

 

Brent I made up my coal loads with real coal.  I use the soft flexable foam cut to fit in the hoppers.  Then I put white elmers glue on it then ad the coal and put more elmers glue on it.  The glue will dry clear.  I then give it a spray paint job to cover any foam I didn;t cover.  Easy and cheap, we have lots of coal up here.  I used the rice coal it is small in size.  Easy and takes only a few hours to do.

laz57

[Anonymous]

Thanks Jim... Susan asked if it is still used... from all signs (RR crossing looked in good shape not far from the bridge, and the tracks leading up to it were in excellent condition) I told her I think it was... she actually had fun going through Buzzards Bay, Bourne, and the trip along Cape Cod... she even enjoyed CharlesRo (think she would have had more fun at North East, but that would have limited my buying power).

The Atlantic Ocean was COLD!!!!!  Must be all the thawed glacial ice...

Chief - They didn't charge me tax on my shipment either and it was here in 2 days!  I guess they wanted me to have it as soon as I got home!  Great group of guys!  The owner of NE is a friend of the owner of Catoctin Mtn Trains in Thurmont, MD!  He even mentioned Marty from MA & PA Junction... really nice fellow.  There a couple of them heading to York next month, but they won't be selling - just going to have some fun.  I told them they should join us for the photo-op, but I couldn't remember the time we had agreed to!

[Jumijo]

That is a raised B&M train bridge that crosses the Cape Cod canal. When a train comes, the bridge is lowered to let it pass. Used twice daily I think.

We have what might be the same Thomas anthology book, Doug. 

[cnw1995]

Welcome back, John! It was great visiting with you and your bride. Sorry I ate half your sandwich.

Brent, sounds like great buys. Is the coal actually loose - in a baggie? A certain forumite send me some real coal once - the kids and I enjoyed studying it. Then we broke some of it up for a hopper just to see what it was like.

Jim, I've all the original Thomas books in a big anthology. They're interesting reading with radically different illustrations. The Rev. A was a trip. I used to have a huge map of Sodor too I used to plan my N scale layout. I ended up using John Allen's G&D layout scheme though. Used to "get away" with much more with 'ol Thom when the older kids were young... Only have one Thomas vid though - I've pored over it though - fantastic modeling in Number 1 gauge. I think there was an old CTT or MR article about some of the scenes. Have to search the index, that would be one to buy.

Keeping Lisa in mind, Chief.

Where is that cool bridge - on the NEC?

[ChiefEagles]

John F, glad to have you back.  Birdie told me you had slipped out of town.  Was keeping an eye on the tracking device we [REBS] have secretly planted in Yankees [that is what I do when visiting ].  You behaved well.

Now on the serious side: Our SISTER LISA, is not doing well.  Will share this part of an email I got from her this AM.

"......I have been down with my neck and upper back this week.  Worked too hard building a wheelchair ramp last Saturday.   Had to wait 3 days to see my chiropractor - he was out -with his back!!  Still giving me a fit - not sleeping much either."

Get well!!!!!

Been to North East Trains too.  Went with some shady fellow from New
England.   I really like it and their staff.  BTW: Had some cars shipped home at a great shipping price.  That way, written as internet or phone order.  No taxes paid.   Wish they were closer.

[Jumijo]

 

I know exactly where that bridge is, Brent. What were you doing down there on the Cape?

What happened to your Comcast connection? Mine crapped out once and it was a cinch to fix. I have wireless service. 

NE Trains is a nice store. I love the old wooden floors. Nice selection of post war there, too. 

 

That looks a lot like JohnF there... was wondering why he hadn't been posting...

Well my home internet connection took a crap last night... thanks COMCAST!  Won't be back up till tomorrow...

When I got home there was a package waiting for me from North East Trains... my MTH B&O RS-1 and Lionel Naughty and Nice hoppers!  The Naughty and Nice hoppers were a stroke of luck because they had just purchased a collection the week before and they were in the collection! So I now have all the Christmas stuff I've been wanting! One of the employees said he was thinking of buying them... I beat him to the punch!   The RS-1 was a TOTAL impulse buy!  It has a lot of weight to it and the detailing is really nice... then they let me hold it and really take a look at the detailing... SOLD!

Also opened the cars I bought while in Boston and found the K-Line Die-cast Chessie 4 bay hopper has a real coal load.  Really cool, but how do you get the coal to stay in the hopper?

JimA - This look familiar?

[jefelectric]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Chicago where I am still in the throes of O gauge British oultine-layout-itis brought upon by my simple search for a Thomas the Tank set. Good thing Ace Trains are so expensive. Lots to do at work for once. Who are these fine looking folks?

It is nice to be home at last, after 3 weeks on the road, railroad that is.  Thanks for posting the picture Doug.  For those who haven't guessed, that is Doug hiding behind my wife Jean and I.  We had a nice visit with Doug, while between trains in Chicago. 

I will give you all a short report on the trip later.

Take care,

[dbaker48]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Chicago where I am still in the throes of O gauge British oultine-layout-itis brought upon by my simple search for a Thomas the Tank set. Good thing Ace Trains are so expensive. Lots to do at work for once. Who are these fine looking folks?

 

Had to bring this thread forward!  Doug I think I know who this is, (Winner gets the grand prize that, Doug thinks he is going to win.)  The old coger in the photo is... is... is....., oh the name escapes me, But I do know that the lovely lady with him is Jean.  (Great People !)

[Anonymous]

That looks a lot like JohnF there... was wondering why he hadn't been posting...

Well my home internet connection took a crap last night... thanks COMCAST!  Won't be back up till tomorrow...

When I got home there was a package waiting for me from North East Trains... my MTH B&O RS-1 and Lionel Naughty and Nice hoppers!  The Naughty and Nice hoppers were a stroke of luck because they had just purchased a collection the week before and they were in the collection! So I now have all the Christmas stuff I've been wanting! One of the employees said he was thinking of buying them... I beat him to the punch!   The RS-1 was a TOTAL impulse buy!  It has a lot of weight to it and the detailing is really nice... then they let me hold it and really take a look at the detailing... SOLD!

Also opened the cars I bought while in Boston and found the K-Line Die-cast Chessie 4 bay hopper has a real coal load.  Really cool, but how do you get the coal to stay in the hopper?

JimA - This look familiar?

[Jumijo]

...Mornin all.  Owe Jim A an apology.  On the Smoke Thread, seems Trenholm dug up an old post [Has Jaapat instead of Jim's new name].  ... 

 

Apology accepted, Frank. At least you were big enough to offer me one...

[ChiefEagles]

Do you know where your ghouls & goblins are ???????

                        

YES, OHIO!!!!

Mornin all.  Owe Jim A an apology.  On the Smoke Thread, seems Trenholm dug up an old post [Has Jaapat instead of Jim's new name].  That sould not be allowed.  Got to have lunch with Town Manager and Rec Director.  Then, maybe trains.  Pam keeps leaving for Wilmington to vist Grandson and hasn't packed yet.  She was to leave yesterday AM, PM, today at lunch and now tomorrow AM early.  Who knows????  Got to go.  Have a good one.  

[Jumijo]

Doug, when I began contemplating our layout's look, my original idea was to make it look somewhat British. I was so impressed with the scenery in the Thomas videos, I wanted to emulate it on our layout. I love the windmills, the stone bridges and viaducts, the water towers, etc,...Now that I have decided to redo a large area on that layout, I may once again look into recreating a bit of the empire on our pike. After I have a spot of tea, of course.

That guy in the photo. He's like Quasi Moto in that his name isn't familiar, but his face rings a bell. Is it John?

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Chicago where I am still in the throes of O gauge British oultine-layout-itis brought upon by my simple search for a Thomas the Tank set. Good thing Ace Trains are so expensive. Lots to do at work for once. Who are these fine looking folks?

[kpolak]

Brutus:  The mower belongs to the neighbor lady...I have been taking care of it for a few years for them, (her husband recently died now it's just her) sharpening blades, changing oil, cleaning, and they let me borrow it.  I get yelled at for putting gas in it, but I do anyway.

I don't think it will be a problem if you borrow it, as long as you bring it right back, ...a lot of lawns to mow here.  I'll cover you on the fuel.

Kurt

[mickey4479]

Good morning from Kansas City!  It has been a while since I have posted.  Too much going on this summer and I had to buy a new computer.  I got a laptop and I like it.  Hope to get back to railroading soon as the bass and trout stop biting. 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  TGIF, had nice storm last nite, got much needed rain about an inch.

Lost at GOLF against BRO.  Blew up on one hole got a 7 where he parred it.  ARG!?@#$#@.

Have agood one.

laz57

[sir james I]

GOOD MORNING,

Kurt- Lets wait till someone is in the shower before we flush the toilets.

We have a sunny but cool morning in the Detroit area lower 70s today, looks that way for at least a week, I'll take it. I've decided to see how many "M" engines still have batteries and just get the rest of the BCRs all at once. Hopefully save a little shipping cost as with all the  stores we have around here no one sells them. Same way with Supersmoke but that company wants almost as much for shipping as the fluid. so I don't have any . I like that old A/F smell.  All you folks have a great friday.   Sir James

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps rising to the 70s today.  The humidity finally left and made for a beautiful evening of soccer last night.  The boys basically just played in the second half and after spotting the other team a 1-0 in the first hallf, scored 2 goals in three minutes to win 2-1.  "My" soccer girls lost 4-0 on the road.  Both teams end the regular season Saturday with Senior Day.  After the game, I had to go to a funeral home for one of my dad's friends.  Then I got something to eat and did a little bit of work at the YMCA.  Came home and reviewed Lucas' math homework and then helped him with it a little.  Did some eBaying and a little reading and went to bed late.  Today will be busy at work.  Still enjoying the cereal and cinnamon rolls on the dining car from "Points East".  Still can't believe the US lost so badly to Brazil, and saw where the goalie who was replaced for the game really ripped the coach a new one.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[csxt30]

Do you know where your ghouls & goblins are ???????

                        

Doug : there's no meat on those guys bones !!  You have to feed them or you'll never get any work out of them !! That's really a neat car you made there !! Boney Express !!

I think it's Friday now !!

Jim : just keep bidding & you'll win !! 

Hope everyone has a nice day !!

Thanks, John

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 54 degrees. Going up to a cooler, 77, today with sunshine. We had some nasty thunderstorms last night. Lots of lightening.

Today, I am working around the house. Have some cleaning up to do and a few odd jobs to finish. Nothing serious. May run trains later. I want to see how my " new addition " looks , rolling down the tracks. I'll take a picture of it.

Dining car is here and well stocked with fresh cupcakes. It is time for breakfast. Be back later.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

[Wes Whitmore]

I finally got the trains back up and running last night.  I was down and out because I made all of my isolated zones and needed to wire everything back to a central point to connect it all together.  I still need to wire up the switches to not use track power, and hook up my infrared sensors so I can get multiple trains running at the same time again.

I'm still contemplating on moving the whole thing to a dedicated 11'x15' room that I almost have cleaned out.  It could be 11'x21' if I tear down the devider wall that I built.  think it would work better in there, and I could make the track much bigger.

Have a good one!
Wes