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

[Nick12DMC]

Afternoon All,

Hope you are all having a good Friday.

Here's a few pics from our recent holiday to the DR.

The Swim Up Bar. (No real ale so John B might not want to included it in his pub guide.LOL) Nice cocktails though.

 

View of the beach. Where I could be found with a copy of CTT

My Wife Tammy and son Charlie swim with the Dolphins.

Later

Nick

[dbaker48]

Don, I know about the "restriction thing"  been there, still there.  After my last experience with ebay, I am not so inclined to buy anything lately.  As for your track cleaning cars, which ones did you get?  I was thinking of getting one of the ones from Northeast Trains.  Please let me know what you think of whichever ones you got. 
Take care,

Dennis

 Dennis - I ordered the Aztec cars  http://www.aztectrains.com/pages/TrackClean-GOS.html

I saw one that a friend has it was really good, the rollers are offset which ensures track coverage on curves, etc.

 

 

Then with the G-Scale I have running on a shelf, it will be ideal!  Also the fact it is also offered in the same road name that I am running Denver and Rio Grande, perfect! 

 

They actually should arrive today.  Convinced my wife that they were maintainence stuff and don't really count.  Gotta protect the other investments.

 Brent - You really have my empathy, you don't stand a chance, a wife with "a PHD in Organizational Management with a focus in leadership"  

 

 

[dbaker48]

Chief, Couldn't dig up the post of you holding your new Grandson but my wife past this on to me thought you might need the warning.

For those of you that are mustard lovers or haters,

I Love Mustard. (This is a true story. If you have children you will probably relate to this father.)

As ham sandwiches go, it was perfection: a thick slab of ham on a fresh bun with crisp lettuce and plenty of expensive, light brown, gourmet mustard. The corners of my jaw aching in anticipation, I carried it to the

table in our backyard, picked it up with both hands but was stopped by my wife suddenly at my side.

"Here, hold Johnny (our six-week-old son) while I get my sandwich," she said. I had him balanced between my left elbow and shoulder and was reaching again for the ham sandwich when I noticed a streak of mustard on my fingers.  I love mustard. I had no napkin. I licked it off.

It was not mustard.  No man ever put a baby down faster. It was the first and only time I have sprinted with my tongue protruding.  With a washcloth in each hand, I did the sort of routine shoeshine boys do; only I did it on my tongue.

Later, after she stopped crying from laughing so hard, my wife said, "Now you know why they call that fancy mustard "Poupon."

 

[ChiefEagles]

OH, Don.  I knew what was coming when you said mustard.  

  (I'm sure he will tell you privately that I'm one of those dizzy blondes.... he's too much of a gentleman to put it on the forum!!) 

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Lisa

Dear Heart, you just told on yourself.   Not dizzy at all.  Got lots of great ideas.  Great job on crafting here scenery and buildings.  Back to work.

[Buckeye Riveter]

...to meet the Chief yesterday for a short .... visit.  Lisa

You are one smart lady.    How did you keep it short? He always hangs around Ohio for days.

A little cool today in Buckeyeland, but can't complain. 

fifedog, I have ridden Amtrak around the Big Ten Curve at Clay.  In fact, a neat trip is to get on the train at Denver and ride to the western side of Colorado, rent a 4x4 and use it to follow the tracks back.  Just north of Vail the train is at the bottom of the Colorado River Canyon.  You can stand on the ridge and see the trains go through several tunnels. 

The weekend is here! Yard work tomorrow  May get to work on Garden RR.

Next week I go fishing in Kentucky.

See ya down the tracks,

[traindaddy1]

Observation: I guess that the  guy whose State's Motto is "Esse Quam Videri" is happy that the "Yankees" have lost six in a row.

[jefelectric]

Good evening all,

I did get a reply from John Baker, said he hopes to post again soon.

If anyone is interested in NS, lives close to the Horshoe Curve in PA and is free on May 17th this may be interesting:

For anyone interested in doing photography or just observing, the Norfolk Southern is sponsoring a ride around Horshoe Curve from Altoona, on Thursday, May 17, 2007.  This rail excursion is exclusive for only registered attendees of the 17th Annual Pennsylvania Rail Freight Conference & Seminar, being held at the Blair County Convention Center, Altoona, Pa., May 16-18, 2007.  But photography and viewing is not prohibited to non-attendees, as long as you stay on public property and not interfere with the Conference & Seminar operations, between Altoona and Horseshoe Curve and beyond.   1700 HRS.  Bus departs from hotel to Altoona Amtrak Station     1715 HRS.  Board train for Horseshoe Curve ride, with dinner and                      entertainment at the Curve, only for attendees.   Special train will depart westbound, immediately after unloading passengers.  All passengers will depart by bus from Horseshoe Curve to hotel at 2030 HRS.   Power is expected to be the recently restored NS F9As and F9Bs, A-B-B-A, #1010, #2010, #2020, and #1020, along with the NS office car/private car equipment.  Equipment is subject to change.

The above was in a recent email from NRHS.  Wish I lived a little closer.

Take care,

[rtraincollector]

Speaking of Norfolk Southern the other day when

I was in PA. as I was coming back from the train show (dropping off trains ) as I got to the far side of the bridge there on 30 east over the Susquehanna River The train tracks there are NS. I beleive thats columbia, PA.

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all,

Cool and overcast in Southern Ohio.  Storms last night just blew over.  Thank you God.  I did get the grass cut today.  The grass is such a pretty green today.  Some neighbors came over this afternoon to use our yard for some prom pictures.  It is crazy what the high school proms have become.  I've heard of parents dropping big $$$$ for their kid's prom.  Money that would be better spent on train related items. 

Don, thanks for the laugh about the mustard!!!  It di bring back memories!

Hey Buckeye, where in Ky you fishing?  From talk I've heard should be pretty good next few days if we just get a little warmer.  I'll be gone Saturday, but if you'd like to swing by on the return drop me a line at [e-mail].

Need to do a little more reading for class Saturday.  

God bless

Jim 

 

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Got some rain at home from wife's report.  Now to relax and watch TV.  Later

[dwiemer]

Don, thanks for the story. Reminds me of an incident that I had. When we first got our daughter, I would do that thing of raising her above my head and making funny noises to make her laugh. Not sure why, but she had a weak stomach that night. For the first time since she became part of our family, she vomited......in my face......my mouth open.....ugh! I can laugh at it now though.

On another note, had the kids pictures taken the other day and the photographer said he doesn't use the large format printer because the cartridges are so expensive. Was wondering if I could refer him to you? Also, I have some photo printers I need to get some cartridges for.

I had put off fixing the tractor because of work, family, and dog issues. Today, the repair guy showed up and I just let him take care of it. This allowed me to mow a few acres, and then, I broke a different strut in the front stearing. This, I know I can fix, but have to take the time.

Now for the bad news...Dog is having more difficulty. I have an appointment to take her to the vet tomorrow. I pray all will go well, but she may have to be put down. I am not looking forward to taking her, but perhaps they can fix her.

Hope everyone has a good weekend.
Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Dennis, good luck with the dog.  Gooooood night all.

[cnw1995]

I'm sorry for your dog, Dennis, and hope for the best. We took a good buddy out for dinner tonight to celebrate his 62nd birthday - after a few drinks, the bride came home and went right to bed. I'm waiting up for the daughter to come home - and trying to figure out why this dad-blame Blackberry has gone bonkers on me - I think it choked on trying to sync too many calendar updates - wish I knew how to 'reset' it - so I'll hunt around on the Web. Good night all.

[dbaker48]

Evening all,

John, You should make that trip to Altoona, (easy for me to say) looking at your photos you would certainly get some good ones.

Dennis, Sorry about the dog, sure hope that works out.  Regarding the cartridges just send a email and I will get all the information for you.  (Special discount for forum members avail.)

The story about the mustard - I didn't experience that but, having a boy I did get it in the face on two different occassions.  My Dad was baby sitting my nephew and there was some do do that needed to be cleaned up, so what does he do...... Takes him out to the backyard, strips him and hoses him down with the garden hose and threw the clothes away.

Got the track cleaning cars, and put them on the track.  I am very satisfied!  They are a bit pricey.

Later, hope everyone has a good day, we have to work this weekend at the computer show.  

I am still re-living the York experience.  One of the best trips of my life! 

 OH Yeah  Sunday TALLADEGA - YAHOO -  GO GET'EM Junior !

[rtraincollector]

Dennis sorry about your dog I know they become one of the family .

Chief a yankee never would of fell for that joke i sent you

Here for the yanks to try and see

Computer Dependency 
   
  This just proves that we have become too dependent on our 
computers. 
   
  Are you male or female? To find out the answer, look down... 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
  LOOK down, not scroll down!!!
  You are too dependent on your computer!!!!
 

[ChiefEagles]

He got me.    Good morning all.  Drinking coffee to sober p.  Took an Ambien CR and did not quite get my full 8 hours.  Got up twice [too much POP {Yankee word}].  Was staggering all over the place.  No wonder Kennedy couldn't drive.  Sunny and warm here.  Get ready to go to the store.  Hope we have more customers today.  Chat later.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a wet, cloudy 50 degrees. Going up to 63 today, with a chance of some more light rain. This is causing the grass to grow high. Need some sunshine to dry things out.

Today, I will not be able to cut grass. Need to. I will spend some time in the train room and work on the layout. Maybe, next month will be nice enough to paint the steel bridge outside. Looking forward to that.

Dennis...Good luck with your dog.

Dining Car is here and ready for breakfast. All aboard.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Morning y'all.  Promises to be a  B E A U T I F U L day here in NC!! 

Ran into some friends at a restaurant last night and somehow the conversation turned to trains.   Said he had an old Marx from around 1956 or 58 that they used to put under the tree at Christmas.  The transformer has gone bad and he didn't know where to find a replacement so he packed it away in the attic.    I don't know anything at all about Marx trains so could someone let me know what to tell him.

Enjoy the day!

Thanks!

Lisa

[Anonymous]

Mornin' all.

Lisa - tell your friend to either take the transformer to a hobby shop and have it repaired, or simply buy a new transformer.  Any of the new transformers should be able to run his Marx.  The Lionel CW-80 (although some will tell you otherwise) is a good little transformer, just make sure you get one of the new ones.  He could also get a refurbished postwar transformer, like a Lionel RW, LW, KW, or 1033... the KW can run two trains.  I have a KW and an LW, use the LW when I set up the carpet central... the KW is going to be for the christmas layout.  I do need to get them both in for service.  I think the LW should be obtainable for under $60.00 and a KW for under $150.00.

Or go to a trainshow and get a refurbed Marx transformer...

[Buckeye Riveter]

Live from Roger's Corners

It is Saturday Morning 

Good morning and I do mean morning from BUCKEYELAND!!!

It was a short night.  Daughter called and said, "DAD, we have water flowing into our basement!!!! Help!!!!"  Of course that was at 11:45 pm last night.  Packed up the shop vac and headed to their house.  Started up the shop vac and before we left at 2:00 am had moved furniture and sucked up at least 100 gals of water with the vac.  Told the SIL and daughter they would need to monitor it all night long.  Lesson learned: Clean those gutter, downspouts and the pipes to the street especially when your sump pump uses those same pipes.

Dennis, sorry to hear about the family dog.  Not fun.

Lisa, I have seen reconditioned CW-80 transformers at Davis Trains in Cincinnati.  Ask one of your LHS if they have any reconditioned transformers.

As for a joke of the day.....

See ya down the tracks,

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !!  Looks a little wet here today but I think it may clear up !

Dennis; I hope for the best for your dog .

RT : you got me on that one too !!

Looks like Chuck is getting close to bridge painting !! Can't wait to see the pictures !!  

Well, hope all have a nice day & glad the Chief got to meet Lisa !!

Thanks, John

[cnw1995]

Gooood morning from a sunny and warming Crystal Lake where nice weather always arrives just in time for the weekend -- I have a bunch of outdoor things to do today after cleaning the inside of the house with the bride. I just keep rebooting the Blackberry which I think is dying. Who needs it anyway? I hope to run trolleys a bit later. Hope Junior wins the race this weekend.

[Anonymous]

busy? yes and no. did what I do best-wait on others to decide they are going to getaroundtoit. was supposed to meet with new computer folks, go over contract and sign-guy called and said he had the flu, also waiting on fellow back from vacation to call and tell me we could start 11 new stores-no call and I really don't expect 1-will have to go about another way to get his attention, oh, waiting for 2 years on old computer person to put in quad servers, new on-line program,get credit card hookup, get year old program to work right. found 21+ 7-11's that I need to call and see if I can get a live person to talk to or play phone tag with, also returned call to fellow in NC who wanted info, but was not available both times I called, got PPT report from accountant when I got the mail. signed same and put in envelope for mailing today. a mite cool and too wet to work in yard, sooo went to rr, spread and glued some ballast,(cleaned some track that I had already ballasted, then ran GP35 I got from some cracker in NC who doesn't know a GP from an SD AND had the balls to ship Atlas engines in mth box(can you believe that?) worked on replacement bridge installation(1 of 3). in the eve did more ballast, moved some scrap lumber and swept up piles of sawdust and assorted other crap off floor where I am looking at hidden yard under the table, which will also be under future main yard. let me see, I thinks that was all I did yesterday. oh, was expecting a call from lawyer about PPT problem that has been in the works for 10 years or so-he called Wed, but I had gone to bank and get dinner(supper as the case maybe) and was supposed to call back Thursday, but didn't, sooooooooooo, I think that was my dull and boring day yesterday. Sorry you had 1 also! hope today better! actually this is a test message to see if anyone actually reads anything from someone new or realizes that someone new has attempted to have a cup of coffee with you folks. I will not bother you good folks again. I always try to stay away from where I am not wanted. thanks for the education and confirmation.

jim

[dwiemer]

Morning Y'all, just back from the vet.  An emotional roller coaster.  She was having real bad walking issues and could hardly stand.  The vet did X-rays and her joints all look great.  He consulted with another vet and the prognosis is that she has a problem with her spinal cord. This is one of those things that a vet is taught about in school, but may never see in practice, so it is rare.  They are keeping her and giving her steroids.  If she shows improvement, we will work on things and she should get better.  If no improvement soon, then we will have to put her down.

So, now I am home and waiting on the guy with the sprayer truck to spray for weeds, ants and fertilizer.  Then, maybe some trains.

Dennis

PS: thanks for the kind thoughts guys

[Anonymous]

Brent and Buckeye - Thanks for the advice on the transformer.  Knew someone would be back to me quick!

Dennis - hoping all goes well with your dog -

Lisa

[John Bakeer]

1700 BST and 17degC. here in a lovely, warm Stockport. April this year has been the warmest since records began in 1640 with the average temperature 3degC above normal (8degC). Looks like we've got the Yankees weather.

Not much to report really, had a 4.7 scale earthquake around Folkestone, a few pot dolls fell off a shelf and a woman tripped over a cat, made the headlines though!

Pets like people come into our lives and eventually go, so long as the bit in the middle means we share love and pleasure for a while, the pain of parting can be eased by happy memories.

Lionel is out for the immediate future, the Ashlar-Spen-Valley RR is in chapter 11 until the end of June due to management blunders with the liquid assets department. 

Talking of liquidity, I should have some more pub photo's for Dennis soon, this time with better captions and notes.

Going to Leeds tomorrow with the beloved for a lunch of deep fried/battered haddock, chips(fries), mushy peas, tea, bread and butter followed by a great big dollop of ice cream. Then to the Working Men's Club for a sneck lifter.

 

[Nick12DMC]

Glad to hear from you John B. Its been a lovely day here in Peterborough. Been helping to finish of the Brother-in-laws kitchen. They had to choose mossaic tiles..doh!

John B, If you want to bring your loco to the Ilkley show you are welcome give her a run on my layout. Was hoping to make a start on the gamesroom/garage now but since I have been on holiday we have had loads of work come in (this a good thing, but it delays the Charlie & Nick RR). I think I will have to find a builder to do the outer shell as I won't have the time with the current work load.

Nick

 

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Well, hope all have a nice day & glad the Chief got to meet Lisa !!

John, the real question is, will Lisa be glad she met the Chief?  Look how our lives have changed! Only time will tell, but since she is a Suthern gal, I would assume she will love being sprayed with grits and sweet tea.

Dennis, I went to school with vet students and I swear some of them can talk to the animals. 

It is here! The AMTRAK Genesis dummy unit.  Photos in the works, video too of this monster passenger train running through Roger's Corners.

[csxt30]

Well, hope all have a nice day & glad the Chief got to meet Lisa !!

John, the real question is, will Lisa be glad she met the Chief?  Look how our lives have changed! Only time will tell, but since she is a Suthern gal, I would assume she will love being sprayed with grits and sweet tea.

Yeah Buckeye, plus don't forget, we now know she is a Blonde !!  Everyone knows Blondes have more fun !!  They used to look real good in my new GTO & my Corvettes years ago !! So I think she will enjoy all the gritts parties coming up !!

Buckeye : we all can't wait to see your new Amtrack Video !! 

Thanks, John

[mitchelr]

Good evening to all.  Been reading the forum for the last couple of days but too  busy and tired to post. Three nights this past week I did not leave work until after 8:00 PM.  Thirteen hour days at work take a toll on my energy level.  In addition, we have had some rathr stressful student and personnel issues.

We have some good news.  Our son has been accepted into Grad School at American University.  He will start in August.

Take care,

Mitch