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

[Jumijo]

So what's new with everybody? I don't mean with your job, family, day-to-day stuff. I mean what have you bought recently?

I went shopping yesterday with the Chief and bought a few things (didn't want to look cheapo). I bought an MTH Santa Fe streamliner passenger car, a Weaver New Haven State of Maine car, a set of wooden Santa Fe FTs made by lionel (for the boys), and a Cadillac by K-Line for our layout. Passed on a nice K-Line Rio Grande box car with sprung metal trucks for $13.95.

What I found interesting about the little wooden FTs was that they have the exact same number on them as our electric Lionel FT - 158.

So what have you bought lately? And are you happy with it?

Jim 

I purchased a 6-11109 C&O 0-8-0 Switcher from CharlesRo, was supposed to be here yesterday, but when I got home I found a 6-11009 Tony Stewart Expansion pack!

I like NASCAR, but can't stand Tony Stewart, so I'm not happy with it... that plus it is a bit of a downer when you are expecting a $350.00 engine and receive a $150.00 expansion pack!

 

The Chief and I were there (Charles Ro) yesterday at about this time. I buy the ocassional item there, like cars or track, but no locomotives, and absolutely no mail order. I've dealt with the service guy personally and was anything but impressed. Good luck getting this straightened out!

Jim

Jim,
My sentiments exactly (service guy).  I had to call them again to have this all explained to me.  Here is my take:

1. Put the item being returned on my porch - FedEx will stop by to get it within the next 4 days! - WHAT?  If it is still there tonight I am going to personally take it to the UPS store and have it sent back at my expense.  I know I shouldn't have to, but I would rather pay $10.00 UPS than $150.00 for an item I don't want.

2. They are sending the correct item.

If it isn't here by Monday then I am calling the CC Company and putting a stop payment on this.  Very frustrating because I could have delt with Grand Central and I wouldn't have this issue.

 

Neal- the same guy who "repairs" trains answers the phone there. Yeah . . . .

I've had great luck dealing with JusTrains and Grzyboski's. 

Jim 

[jefelectric]

  JIM,

  I'm also looking for either Lionel or MTH (PS 2.0) NYC F3s ABA.  Anyone know where I can get one?

laz57

Good afternoon, 

I'm back home, rough morning.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Now back to trains for a while.  Laz, is this what you are looking for:

Jim's Train Shop has them in MTH RailKing with PS2 for $420.00.  I assume that you have checked with Barry?  Here is Jim's web site, best to call to order.

http://www.jimstrainshop.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=875

Looks like a good deal and he is one of the good guys.

[Jumijo]

  JIM,

  I'm also looking for either Lionel or MTH (PS 2.0) NYC F3s ABA.  Anyone know where I can get one?

laz57

Good afternoon, 

I'm back home, rough morning.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Now back to trains for a while.  Laz, is this what you are looking for:

Jim's Train Shop has them in MTH RailKing with PS2 for $420.00.  I assume that you have checked with Barry?  Here is Jim's web site, best to call to order.

http://www.jimstrainshop.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=875

Looks like a good deal and he is one of the good guys.

 

Jim is one of the good guys. I've bought from him and would do so again.

The MTH Railking F3s might be a little small. We saw some yesterday and they were noticably smaller than Lionel's. They were close to O27 Alco size. The ones in the photo above seem close to scale proportioned though. We saw an SF AA set for $290 that was drastically shortened. The B unit was $69.95. You can get a Williams ABA set for approx. $350 at JusTrains, but no sound other than bell and horn.

Jim 

[Anonymous]

 ChiefEagles -- everytime I see that lil pic of that bass you're holding makes me envious since I thought I caught some big ones here in Maryland . Thanks millions for the condolences buddy ... tis rough and like the other fellow's mom ...  she lost about all memory before she passed . It's a real heart breaker ! Lord I hope the new stem cell experiments bring forth some help for those and possibly us some day getting that .  You guys have to be some of the nicest people I have come across in a long time . Even when someone like me goofs up and does or says something stupid you treat me so darn nice .  Come to think of it by golly almost every train guy ... and gal ... are great people . Surprises me how many train women are cropping up ! I had gotten away from the hobby as some call it ... for a couple of years and am extremely glad I got back in . But it's almost like learning everything all over again . If someone would have told me I'd have to program my engines with a computer chip in a remote to a system in an engine a few years ago --- and it would do all the sounds and functions they do now I would'nt have believed it . What's next --- a virtual reality headset that puts us in the engine at the throttle and brake ? Probably ! Seems only a bit ago 2 wires off a small transformer  -an engine and cars - and some track and that was it . Smoke and a whistle was big time --- LOL  I remember my vibrating cattle outfit and all the guys in the neighborhood had to see it . The cows went everywhere and banged into each other but we thought " man what next " ------   A bottle of smoke pills were worth their weight in gold .

[cheapclassics]

Jaabat,

Yes, I am the one who got the March CTT early.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

 

[Jumijo]

Jaabat,

Yes, I am the one who got the March CTT early.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana 

 

And why, pre tell did you get an advanced copy, Mike? Spill it!!!

Jim 

[Jumijo]

The guy in the next office over from me just got an LGB French Mikado (Orient Express?) with elephant ears delivered to him. He has it on his desk. Gorgeous!

Jim 

[Anonymous]

 Chief ... you're my MTH engine expert ... when did MTH start putting protosound2 in their engines ? I am not familiar with them at all and have been offered a good price on one manufactured in 1998 . But I want to stay away from the proto1 boards .

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon All !

Boy it is cold here, by SoCal standards. I had planned on doing some plywood cutting in the garage today so I can change out the 031 curves with 042 on the wall mount railway. So much for the best layed plans, I don't like to work with the big power tools when I have to wear a jacket or something with floppy cuffs. Been bit once by both the table and radial saws, don,t want to see anymore of my blood on the garage floor.

Hobo, If you have the MTH item number you can check it out on their website, as well as downlosding the operating instructions. I have two proto 1 pieces and currently are being a couple of problem children. One of them, 4-6-0, works great at home but the chuff doesn't work on the club layout and a DRG Galloping Goose that will just not come out of reverse no matter what I try.

Tomorrow is run day at the museum, taking the B&O and Chessie SD-35's with a mixed consist. It's also my turn to bring lunch, got a pork butt sloww cookin for some pulled pork sandwiches with a big ol' scoop of coleslaw.    

[laz 57]

  JIM,

  I'm also looking for either Lionel or MTH (PS 2.0) NYC F3s ABA.  Anyone know where I can get one?

laz57

Good afternoon, 

I'm back home, rough morning.

Thanks for all the good wishes.

Now back to trains for a while.  Laz, is this what you are looking for:

Jim's Train Shop has them in MTH RailKing with PS2 for $420.00.  I assume that you have checked with Barry?  Here is Jim's web site, best to call to order.

http://www.jimstrainshop.com/xcart/customer/home.php?cat=875

Looks like a good deal and he is one of the good guys.

 

Jim is one of the good guys. I've bought from him and would do so again.

The MTH Railking F3s might be a little small. We saw some yesterday and they were noticably smaller than Lionel's. They were close to O27 Alco size. The ones in the photo above seem close to scale proportioned though. We saw an SF AA set for $290 that was drastically shortened. The B unit was $69.95. You can get a Williams ABA set for approx. $350 at JusTrains, but no sound other than bell and horn.

Jim 

 

Thanks JOHN and JIM!

I am thinking seriously of getting them but I really would like scale.  Don't know why but I just do.  I will be going down BARRYs on Monday, no school ,  so I'll ask him there.  But thanks and I will file Jims train shop. 

Thanks again GIZ.

laz57

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   Finally took some pics of layout and new

OLD MILWAUKEE car

And from my wife on my bithday she got me this

See I finally posted some pics.

laz57

 

[Pennvalley]

The holidays are especially tough when someone passes away. Lost my older brother on December 22 a while back.

 

Was going to make a trip to Justrains today to pick up an engine & odds & ends. Didn't happen.
Tomorrow I'll give it another try.

 

[Blueberryhill RR]

LAZ....You really do have a layout !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks great, Buddy.

Chuck

[mitchelr]

So what's new with everybody? I don't mean with your job, family, day-to-day stuff. I mean what have you bought recently?

I went shopping yesterday with the Chief and bought a few things (didn't want to look cheapo). I bought an MTH Santa Fe streamliner passenger car, a Weaver New Haven State of Maine car, a set of wooden Santa Fe FTs made by lionel (for the boys), and a Cadillac by K-Line for our layout. Passed on a nice K-Line Rio Grande box car with sprung metal trucks for $13.95.

What I found interesting about the little wooden FTs was that they have the exact same number on them as our electric Lionel FT - 158.

So what have you bought lately? And are you happy with it?

Jim 

Jim - I just got the engine below and I love it.

Also got this one from Santa:

 

Mitch 

[Buckeye Riveter]

First let's get some important issues out of the way:

Dennis, I want to wish you  a

John and Laz, my sincerest condolences.  Laz, I lost my best fishing buddy to bone cancer six years ago, and there is not a day that seems to go by that I don't remember some of the great times we had together.

This week has been a big traveling week.  On Tuesday, I was in SW Ohio and now I'm in Northern Ohio working on a proposal that is due on Tuesday.  Rental car upgraded to a Dodge Charger and I must say, after driving Taurus and Impalas, the Charger is a great ride. 

Unfortunately, I haven't had any time to run trains with the travel.  Still need to take down some Christmas decorations at home this weekend.

So the Chief made the cover of CTT........we are never going to hear the end of this. 

Chuck, I'm surprised that you didn't know about LAZ's layout. 

Sturgeon, great photos of Southern Ohio and the NS yard.

.......and Hobo, I can't wait to put a camera in the nose of one of my engines.

See ya down the tracks,

[tschmidt]

Good evening all,

First of all, to all of you who have lost someone in the past few days, my prayers are with you.

Winter finally arrived here yesterday with about 8 to 10 inches of snow. I forgot how much "fun" it was to shovel. This has been a really strange winter so far. I can't remember one like this. We are supposed to some freezing rain over the weekend.

I see some of you have been talking about recent purchases. Over the past few months I was able to get the Lionel Southern PS-4 locomotive and a the add-ons to the Area 51 train. I am looking forward to the new Lionel catalog coming out in a few weeks. The PS-4 has some really good sounds and pulls well.

I think we are going to relax and watch new episodes of Earl and The Office. I find them to be funny.

Have a good evening everyone.
Tom S

[jefelectric]

Laz, Nice beer car & layout.  BTW MTH is showing a premer set of ABA F-3s in NYC on there site from the 98 catalog and still show it in stock at serveral dealers.  Here is the catalog number 20-2176-1.

And here are the dealers:

http://204.156.4.220/external/panel2.asp  

Knowing Barry if it is around anywhere he can get it for you.  The bad news is that the list was 679.95.

One other option is that Atlas is making the A unit this year in F-3 phase 1.  They are not making the B unit as NYC did not have any B units in phase 1.  They are very strict in not making items that do not have a prototype.

See them here:

http://www.atlaso.com/f-unit.htm

Lionel had E-7s in NYC in the 2006 Vol 2 catalog, is that close enough?

They also had Aco FA-2s & FB-2s in the 2005 vol 1 in NYC.

[rtraincollector]

Laz or anybody else if you wish to try my local hobby shop the web page is http://www.deltavilledepot.com/ if he doesn't have what you want he will order it. He great to work with also he mainly does lionel/mth but also carries atlas,weaver,and williams. he also (if you pay with money order ) normally will give a little off may not cover complete shipping but will be close. His name is Lee Paul . He mainly O gauge but does carry some Ho and G and will order n or standard if he can get it. (he recently got me some standard gauge 3' straight track. )

As to what have everyone else bought lately well I told you of the k-line hershey set and it runs great. The Williams Viginian set looks great haven't tried it yet. (note The only thing i don't really like is the first 2 wheels/axles on the trucks are the power axles and the last is just for looks but instead of having the middle one with no flang the end set of wheels has no flange on it. ) Not sure how well it will work plan to find out this week end as going to LHS and run it on his layout as I don't have one built yet. I also bought a lionel desert King set (1989) NIB unopened and a kline Coke set unopened from 1991.

Laz looked up where millersville was in relationship to where my brother lives and your about 60 miles away ( he lives in Lititz) (we grew up in West Chester)

Oh laz I wish I had acess to what you have to use where you teach as I can get just about all I want rough cut true 1" X 3" , 1" X4", and 1" X 5" from work there oak and poplar mainly there skids for 125 gallon propane tanks. I've in the pass have taken some to a plainer and put clear on them after wards and they have come out real nice.

 

Well all not much happening

[Anonymous]

Evening all,

Time to catch up here

My heartfelt condolences to both Laz and John on their losses.

Happy 40th Birthday to Dennis...be forewarned....this years annual physical holds a big surprise!

I seriously question whether a fish was involved in that CTT cover shot.  Looks more to me like Chief's snagged on a submerged branch from an old Beaver dam.   And CN makes front cover!  Salute!

I've got a Railking F3 ABA set with proto 1.   So far it's worked flawlessly short of recharging the battery now and then.  I don't use it continually but it is one of the better running engine sets I own.  Yep, it's short and not super detailed but what annoys me most is it's unfinished fueltank area...a real eye sore when viewed from below on my plate rail layout.

Was interested in a thread on the other forum concerning Disney and Lionel.  Seems that Disney's licencing fees are too steep for Lionel to consider.  Frankly I think the whole Disney schtick has been done to it's limit but there's one big missed operatunity here.  Think Disney/Pixar's movie Cars and Lionel/K-line's Superstreets.   The possibilities are only as limited as ones imagination.  For example, a TMCC operated tractor tipping accessory.  Just thinking out loud tho.

Bruce Webster

[tschmidt]

Hi guys, I got a quick question...

It's been a long time since I posted some pictures. Could someone please take me through it step by step?

Thanks, TomS

[fifedog]

laz57 - we apparently have the same flourescent lights over our layout, complete with rafters.  I placed 3 strands of blue rope lights up in the rafters, and when I kill the main lights, it gives off a cool moonlit effect.

[fifedog]

brwebster - do you mean a sexy nurse is gonna pop out of Dennis's cake? Right? Gonna have to share some pics of that,k?

[Buckeye Riveter]

Hi guys, I got a quick question...

It's been a long time since I posted some pictures. Could someone please take me through it step by step?

Thanks, TomS

Tom,  since I know you are running a MAC, I know that the MAC users have had a horrible time posting photos.  Jon, in Iowa, may have been the only one who has had some success. 

[ChiefEagles]

Hey Hobo, I still got my cattle car.  Those cows shook all over the place but that was OK.  Last time I used it [1985], it worked.  Think Roger B has rebuilt one.  I left the hobby due to a move to a house without finished basement.  Now kids are gone, I am using bedroom and walk-in attic upstairs.  When I came back, PS-2 was already around.  Got DCS and PS2 engines first.  Later added TMCC and Lionel TMCC engines.  Have converted some PS1 engines to TMCC and Railsounds.  Read a lot about Equlizer that converts PS1 to TMCC but still uses the old sound board.  Exact date on PS2, I am not sure.  Some of the guys here will know and post.  Conversions are easy if you can solder.  Actually fun when I have time to sit down and do them.  Done one old U36B conversion from old EUnit to TMCC and Railsounds.  Tight fit.  Really interested in the Electric RR kits.  I think they are smaller.  OH, don't worry about posting something wrong.  I do it all the time.  I hear or read something and get it wrong.  A lot of good help on here.  Microwave Popcorn time [eat a bag every night].

[rtraincollector]

Hi guys, I got a quick question...

It's been a long time since I posted some pictures. Could someone please take me through it step by step?

Thanks, TomS

Open account at http://www.photobucket.com/ and up load your pics then copy the last set (img code) and paste in here.

this is what it will look like (I removed the IMG at the beginning so it wouldn't post )

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y280/rtraincollector/Trains/Trains061.jpg[/IMG]

and heres the pic the IMG 

[ChiefEagles]

brwebster - do you mean a sexy nurse is gonna pop out of Dennis's cake? Right? Gonna have to share some pics of that,k?

YES, his wife Kim is a nurse and good looking too.   Oh, I hear she cooks good southern food too.  He has the best of both "worlds".  That is why he saw the light and converted to REBS.

[Anonymous]

brwebster - do you mean a sexy nurse is gonna pop out of Dennis's cake? Right? Gonna have to share some pics of that,k?

YES, his wife Kim is a nurse and good looking too.   Oh, I hear she cooks good southern food too.  He has the best of both "worlds".  That is why he saw the light and converted to REBS.

Well, That wasn't exactly the type of "surprise" I was thinking of.  This surprise involves a camera on the end of a long probe.  Up to you to imagine where it's inserted.  It's a well known right of passage into middle age these days.  Had a sexy nurse performed this proceedure on me I would have fainted from embarassment.  I'd suggest not having the wife do the proceedure either, no matter whether she's a nurse or how good looking she is! 

Bruce Webster

[mitchelr]

Hi guys, I got a quick question...

It's been a long time since I posted some pictures. Could someone please take me through it step by step?

Thanks, TomS

 

Tom,

At the top of the forum they have posted some instructions.  Basically you post the photos on a host like shutterfly ( an account is free) and then you can copy and paste the url between the img tags or use the icons on top of the message window(if they show up).  I use a Mac with Firefox browser and I can get the image button.

Mitch 

 

Here's my new nephew and I in my train room.

 

 

 

[dwiemer]

brwebster - do you mean a sexy nurse is gonna pop out of Dennis's cake? Right? Gonna have to share some pics of that,k?

YES, his wife Kim is a nurse and good looking too.   Oh, I hear she cooks good southern food too.  He has the best of both "worlds".  That is why he saw the light and converted to REBS.

Thanks Chief, we dropped the daughter off at the sitters, the son off at school, and we had some time to ourselves.  The cake was home made.  As to the scope, been there, done that, and lets just say that drugs make all the difference.....but that prep has to go!

Buckeye, glad to see ya back....missed you.  Wish I could say I was sorry about the loss to the Gators, but I am not.  Not a Florida fan, but glad the SEC did a good showing.

John, sorry for your loss.  It seems too many have suffered here lately.

Laz, Check out Choo CHoo auctions... I think I saw a F3 Lionel NYC set at the time I saw it it was going for about $150.  I think it is up today, but not sure.

Y'all take care and thanks again for the birthday wishes.

Dennis

[mitchelr]

Almost forgot Dennis.

Laz and jefelectric - sorry to hear of your recent losses.  I will keep you and their families in my prayers.  It is never easy to lose a loved one.  My best friend in high school died as a result of injuries suffered in a lacrosse game.  There's rarely a week goes by that I don't think of him at some point.  It'll be 35 years this May and I still remember his great sense of humor and passion for life.

Take care,

Mitch