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

[anjdevil2]

Kurt prayeers or your wife, hope she's up n around soon.

Sir James...WHiskey and NyQuil always works

Don...nah docs don't like the mechanic corolation...besides it belittles us MECHANICS!

Hey Jim...no to bring this up (again), this time the Bronx AIN'T BURNING!!! Bucky Dent, anyone...

By the by, could SOMEONE send in a LIFERAFT...it's positivly wet out here.  I didn't mind making up the lost rain, but not all in one day!! sheeesh...!

In case I missed anyone...sorry..good vibes out to those who need 'em!!!

My feet are wet....

Rich

[dbaker48]

Don B- I've sat here too long,legs and other parts fell asleep and I can't get up. Need advice.

BE CAREFULL OF THAT SILVER HANDLE !!  BEST IDEA WOULD BE START WIGGLING YOUR TOES!!  AND HOPE THE DOOR BELL DOESN'T RING.   NEXT TIME STAY AWAY FROM THEM GRITS, YOU COULD GET PERMANENTLY STUCK THERE 

[kpolak]

Thanks everyone for the prayers and well wishes.  Bride is home after successfull laproscopic surgery.

I'm not sure about this outpatient surgery stuff...she's pretty beat-up.  I guess she can rest at home just as well as at the hospital...?  Especially with 2- young children vying for her attention...Chilrden are with friends for a few hours.  Dun...a... dun...a... dun-da, dun-da, dun-da...

Bride complained about something in her eye.  Dr. Fish was on rounds...Anesthestist...It seemed funny at the time.  Dr. Fish, not a Surgeon.  Surgeon.... Fish...??  Oh nevermind.  

8-mo kept us up until 4:30 am, no need to go to sleep needed to be up and out to the Hospital at 5:30am.  See what happens when I don't get any sleep?

Thanks again, 

Kurt

[Nick12DMC]

Hi all, Hope every one is OK.  Hershey bar....hmmm that reminds me I have one left that my cousin sent over at christmas. One has to have a emergency stash of US goodies. Hopefully in a vermin free location.  

I was travelling back from London late last night from a job and caught the Mark Radcliffe & Stuart Maconie show on BBC Radio 2. They played a Neil Young song and afterwards were discussing Neil's new album. They also mentioned Neil's interest in trains. I was waiting for Lionel to get a mention but the guys couldn't remember the name! Its not Hornby but the other one, the No2 model train firm in the world... was how the conversation went. They also mentioned Neil's layout in a barn at his home. They want to get Neil on the show so hopefully he will go on and set the guys straight.  

Tammy is off on a Hen weekend to Dublin (there I have warned you should you be in Dublin and see a group of around 20 women with matching T shirts acting crazy). So little lad and I are home alone this weekend. I feel a trip to a local preserved railway may be on the cards for Sunday

Have a good evening

Nick 

[cheapclassics]

Good afternoon all,

Twice in two days I have forgotten an item I was going to mention.  I came home yesterday and saw that the utility company had really whacked on a couple of our trees which were near some power lines.  Normally I do not mind as they are trying to prevent outages, but what they did yesterday was outrageous!  They must have cut more than 15 feet away from the lines on the part of the trees that was parallel to the lines, but did not touch the branches immediately below the lines.  In fact a few branches appear to still be touching the wires!?!?  Some of the cut limbs were growing in a direction AWAY from the lines.  Adding insult to injury, they left some "logs" on the ground!!!!!  I talked to somebody I know from the electric company and he said he would get a name of some one for me to contact.  As I was writing this, I realized the electric company was Duke Energy, which is based in.....North Carolina.  (Hmmm.... I wonder if this is a GRITS retaliation for my family's raid into northern Kentucky a few weeks ago :-) )   In any event, I hope to be able to get some sort of apology for such behavior.  It is ridiculous what they did.  They might as well come in and take the one tree all the way down.  There might be some other home owners who are equally irate as well. 

Thanks for listening and I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Anonymous]

Phew !!  Made it back from the dentist   As expected he got his revenge, what was suppose to be a checkup, ended up as a root canal.  I think the left side of my face is dragging.

Did get some good news, MTH is going to be at the Cal Stewart meet this year.  Small in comparison to York, maybe equivalent to 1 hall or 3/4 of one. (Smaller Ones)

James, remember if your going to stay on the Pot all day, you gotta maintain your balance. 

My dentist visit went a bit better Don!  All I needed was a cleaning and I had her do some minor grinding on a the back of one of my teeth (had an enamel growth that has been bothering me).

Other than that I was good to go!

Dr John - prayers going out for your mother.

[sir james I]

Don B- I've sat here too long,legs and other parts fell asleep and I can't get up. Need advice.

[cnw1995]

Jim, I need one of those buttons (re Herald link) for everyday life.

[dbaker48]

Phew !!  Made it back from the dentist   As expected he got his revenge, what was suppose to be a checkup, ended up as a root canal.  I think the left side of my face is dragging.

Did get some good news, MTH is going to be at the Cal Stewart meet this year.  Small in comparison to York, maybe equivalent to 1 hall or 3/4 of one. (Smaller Ones)

James, remember if your going to stay on the Pot all day, you gotta maintain your balance. 

[ChiefEagles]

Hi Doug. I probably shouldn't say where. All it takes is one A-hole to place a call.

 

Don't be so paranoid, Dave. I'm the resident A-hole here and I'm not going to call anyone. Now look up at the sprinkler head and wave for us, Ratboy.

First time he has ever told the truth.

[Jumijo]

 

 

Want a laugh? Check out the  front page of today's Boston Herald  HERE!

[Anonymous]

Any of the MD folks going to the Arbutus Toy and Train show on Sept 30?

If I'm in the area that day I may stop in to see what they have... else I'll wait till York.

[Anonymous]

I hear you, Dave. I was just thinking of my own experience working in a pretty old building. Back when the Chicago tunnels flooded, I was not surprised at what was swimming around in the lower level.

Forgot to compliment Mel on his layout photos a few pages ago. I like the wrap-around look.

Don, I like the extra space you've added to the latest plan.  You won't regret being able to move around more. I understand those bridges 'flip-up' instead of duck-under.

They have been remodelling our building for 3 years now and last year we had an infestation of mice... actually had one run across my desk while I was working!  We now can not have food in our cubes, we can eat in them, just can't store food in them.  They have traps set up all over the place and no one checks them till we report a strange odor... yes rotting flesh smells just lovely during lunch!

To the pot Jumijo

[cnw1995]

I hear you, Dave. I was just thinking of my own experience working in a pretty old building. Back when the Chicago tunnels flooded, I was not surprised at what was swimming around in the lower level.

Forgot to compliment Mel on his layout photos a few pages ago. I like the wrap-around look.

Don, I like the extra space you've added to the latest plan.  You won't regret being able to move around more. I understand those bridges 'flip-up' instead of duck-under.

[Jumijo]

Hi Doug. I probably shouldn't say where. All it takes is one A-hole to place a call.

 

Don't be so paranoid, Dave. I'm the resident A-hole here and I'm not going to call anyone. Now look up at the sprinkler head and wave for us, Ratboy.

[FJ and G]

Hi Doug. I probably shouldn't say where. All it takes is one A-hole to place a call.

[Jumijo]

Same thing happens here, Dave. They get into locked metal desk drawers and eat the chocolate, but leave the other stuff alone. Good luck with the athelete's foot. That's almost as bad as painful rectal itching. Not that I would know first hand. 

[cnw1995]

Hmmm, maybe that Hershey bar is still good. You still work in the Pentagon itself, Dave?

[FJ and G]

Rats got into my bottom metal drawer at work. They ate 2 dark chocolate bars but spared my Kipper snacks (sardines in a can). Don't know how they got into the drawer?

 

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  On the run [anything unusual for me??].  Had haircut, now off to meet Frankie for B'dDay lunch.  Dr. John, prayers for your Mom.  I smell a New England Yankee posting after a little vacation.  Trying to slip by the Reb radar with name change.   Got to go.  Later

[dougdagrump]

While I'm down working out I'll give some more thought about moving the transformers up.  I need to clear an alternate path to the washer and dryer before I bring them out due to space constraints.

 

Have a great day all! 

Marty, A suggesstion for handling your transformers. Check out some swing up kitchen cabinet shelving. I've seen these types of units used in kitchens where they wanted to have the larger appliances available but not sitting on the counters, swing out and up for use. Don't know what the weight limitations mite be, but use something like that for the heavier stuff and add a sliding keyboard shelf adjacent to it for switch controlers etc(could even add a cup holder for that cold beverage of choice).  

[cnw1995]

G'morning from a sunny and warm Chicago where I hope Sir James, Dr. John's mom and Kurt's daughter and bride are doing well today. Have a full day here and then parent evening over at the high school. Nothing like being with thousands of tired parents trying to navigate the halls for 5 min. classes.

Maybe I'll get to tackle more of the Rail Zepp tonight. Need to find my tin snips to cut up the undercarriage. My motor of choice from the hand-cart might sit too low on its wheelbase for its slide pickup to project below the undercarriage. 

[dbaker48]

Good Morning all you train nuts!

First a MAJOR thanks to Doug notagrump, what an excellant tour guide!  He made a special trip after having to work two days, to come in to the museum, on a Sunday morning just to show me and a guest around.  Thanks Doug!!!!  

Lots of mending going on!  Hope everyone has a speedy and painless recovery.  A couple of birthdays as well, that's great!  (sure beats the alternative).

Don't want to be too optimistic, but there is actually the threat of rain here by Friday.  Possibly as much as an inch.  That will be more than what we have had in the past 18 months. Is there anything special I need to do ?? 

Today is NOT a favorite day, 1st thing, Dentist.   I'm sure he will get his revenge, last time I was there he said I need a tooth worked on.  I told him he was as bad as a mechanic.  I realize he had a business, but it would be nice if just once he wouldn't find something wrong.  I don't think he liked the mechanic analogy.  He wasn't too pleased.

Wife is going to be making a trip with her parents for a month!  So was tying to get a lap top setup so they could use it in dial-up for emails, etc..  Everything fine, got it working then showing them how to use the dial-up and selecting local numbers.  Then this pop-up screen appears about the registry and an error.  The solution is to go to a specific website, download the software, and will never have the error again.  Of course the s/w is about $70 !!  Really, ticks me off.  So have been trying all types of things to fix it.  Lots of free registry s/w, but it will only scan the computer, and then requires you to buy the s/w to fix the problems.  Really annoying!!

They are leaving tomorrow, so will have plenty of train time.  Going to put up some shelves this weekend.  Might as well take advantage of all that vertical storage space! 

Revised my track plan, since it is NOT secured yet.  I layed it all out and ran a little to just check out relative performance.  Decided I need to relocate the Wyes that make up the crossover.

Old Plan -

New Plan -

The major benefit is have MUCH more walking area, and since the crossover is only used to reverse direction it would not have to be in position ALL the time.  The two "bridge" areas can be drop in sections.  Of course will wire it such that if the bridge isn't there, the blocks leading in will not be powered.  Not dependent upon a toggle switch or anything, but actually hard wired that a engine can NOT access the lead in tracks.

Also the track that is in the right loop is currently fasttrack.  Since this is a city area, the fast track could be replaced with Superstreets.

Well off to the dentist, I think I am developing a toothache, really. 

 

 

[sir james I]

Good morning everyone,

Dr. John-I was about to post when yours popped up. I hope your mother gets on the mend without to much pain.

And then there's Brutus-I already know about the nose,ear hair, it's what's on the roof I don't want  to lose.

Kurt- you seem to have had everything happen all at once, maybe things will settle down after today. My thought's to you and the wife.

Me- I ache all over,I might spend the day right here on the pot, don't feel like moving. 80 all week and gas on mon was $2.89 reg.            Sir James

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 80s today.  Dining car just rolled in from "Points East" loaded with goodies for breakfast.  Talk about the good and the bad yesterday.  The good news is that Lucas got a better grade on his second math quiz.  It was either a B or a C depending on which grading scale they use, and this is much, much better than the first one.  I will still have to monitor his progress and help, but maybe things will go well there.  He is even talking of going to a campus for a visit, and that is a very good sign.

The bad news is the boys' soccer team.  If there was ever a motivation to win, it was last night, and they could not get the job done.  It was a 1-0 defeat, and I have never seen such a dejected looking bunch of kids.  I think the rest of the season may be gone as well.  At least the soccer girls acquitted themselves well in a 2-0 loss to a much better team.  There was one ray of hope in the soccer world as the US Women won their group and advanced to the next round. 

I did track work at the YMCA last night and finished one issue of Trains.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cool 48 degrees. Sunny. Going up to 82, today, with sunshine all day. This is nice weather.

Today is the day, that I drive up to Cambridge, to do the grocery shopping. YUK. Gas prices are still 12 cents cheaper there than in Caldwell. Big deal. Cheapest around is $2.78 a gallon. Have not put many miles on the car this summer.

No time for trains today. I ran them for awhile yesterday. Everything worked fine. Getting ready to paint the last wall in the train room and hang the shelves and pictures. Then, back to the scenery.

Dining Car is here and waitress just yelled " All Aboard ". It is time for breakfast. Then to " Points West ". Later.

Y'all have a great Wednesday.

Chuck

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  50 this morn and to get to 76.

JIM F. EL BRUTO, thanks for telling the CHIEF to fatten up those deer on soyabeans. 

All have a good one.

laz57

[Jumijo]

Almost forgot, here's something for the Batmen among us: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007/09/16/swaby.nm.batman.superfan.ap

Doug,

Thanks for the video link. Now for the scary part - I know him. Personally, with three kids and a wife, I'd rather have a Monkeemobile replica. More seats and much cooler than my new car.

E-mail some dimensions and color scheme ideas for the decals you need and I'll make them up.  

Jim 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Morning all,

Fresh pot of Joe for the drive home this morning.  Had a good night, busy enough to go by fast, but not hectic.  Rather cool out, feels like the start of fall.  Saw several deer  and turkey feeding in the woods coming to work.  Mornings like this make me get the bow out and get shooting again.  Maybe after ordination next year.

All you getting ready to leave home for work drive safely.

Kurt hope your daughter is better.  I'll say a prayer for your wife and her surgeon that all goes well.

Good night and good morning

MAy God bless

Jim

[csxt30]

Hi Everyone ! 

Kurt : You have been busy & I sure your daughter will be ok from that insect bite and you wife's surgery goes well tomorrow. Be praying here. 

Had to check in & make sure James was ok !!  Oh & James, I'll try to get Jim F. to save us the swiss steak & gravy !! Chewy will have a blast with the gravy !!    Jim F. got her all cleaned up already !! I did see a full moon a week or so ago !! So far I don't have the sniffles !!

Mell : hope you get some more work done on your layout !! You're off to a good start !! I always liked that dumper & bridge like you have !!

Oh, hope The Chief's Mom & I believe his boy, have a nice birthday !!

Well, hope everyone sleeps well that is not having to work tonight !! I didn't get any overtime again .

Thanks, John