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

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Posted by rtraincollector on Thursday, May 10, 2007 4:54 PM

Happy B-Day [bday] Chuck

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by dwiemer on Thursday, May 10, 2007 5:00 PM
 anjdevil2 wrote:

Dennis,

Yup, I was hoping that Andrea was going to head further inland, but won't happen.  I'm afraid were into the 1998 firestorm again.  We're surrounded by fires and now the wind is upwards of 40 mph.  I guess it's good I'm retired from the fire service.  My wife still cringes when I talk about going to help out!!! 

Yeah, my bride has given me THE LOOK when I would mention missing fighting fires.  I still stay in touch with a lot of the gang from the job.  Where we are, they have a countywide paid dept. that is supplimented by a force of prisoners.  The prisoners actually have to go through regular firefighter training.  From what I hear, they do a good job.  Typically, the paid guys are running 2 man crew/engine, and 3-4 on the truck.  They used to have a vol. suppliment, but that ended a few years ago.

So, now I just play Dad and play with trains in my spare time.  My only brush with my fire skills is a occasional control burn on the farm.

Dennis

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Posted by jonadel on Thursday, May 10, 2007 5:23 PM
Hi Chuck--just home from St. Paul seeing my beloved Twins lose to the Chi. White Sox--BOO and a Billy Joel concert--YEA, but I wanted to wish you the best of Birthday's, it's always a special day. Have a super day.

Jon

Jon

So many roads, so little time. 

 

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Thursday, May 10, 2007 5:51 PM

Thank you, Guys for the Happy Birthday wishes.

Beautiful day, again, in downtown, rural Ohio.

After mowing the front yard, I have taken it easy today. Yes, I guess it is official now, I am retired. I wish someone would tell the wife. She has work lists that are awesome. Wink [;)]

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by dbaker48 on Thursday, May 10, 2007 6:39 PM
 fifedog wrote:

NASCAR news----> DALE JR. leaving DEI and #8 car after season...I can think of three good reasons why...

 

That is significant!  Happened a little sooner than I expected, can't blame him, He really is a chip off the old block.  Glad to see he is his Own Man ! 

Don

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Posted by njalb1 on Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:00 PM

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

 

 

 

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Posted by jefelectric on Thursday, May 10, 2007 7:43 PM

Happy 65th Birthday Chuck! 

How does it feel to join the ranks of us old geezers? 

 Sorry this is so late, but we went along with the daughter and two granddaughters to the Baltimore Zoo and just got back home a little while ago.

Take care,

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by Brutus on Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:40 PM

Happy birthday Chuck!  May you have another 65 to enjoy trains and friends, but mostly the company and love of your wife and family - God bless!

Got my preordered Lionel Aquarium car, but was afraid to run trains with storms and lightning when I got home.  Now the kids have gone to bed, so I'll just wait until tomorrow night.

Just a reminder, I'm sure we all know this, but SUNDAY IS MOTHER'S DAY!!!  Better get something nice in the pipeline, men!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by spankybird on Thursday, May 10, 2007 8:49 PM

Happy B-Day [bday]Happy Birthday Chuck Happy B-Day [bday]

We hope you had a great day and got 65 new train cars!

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Thursday, May 10, 2007 9:56 PM

Evening.  Worked on buddy's boat most of the day.  Water is finally down at Kerr.  Could have gone fishing if had time.  Big regional transportation meeting at noon tomorrow.  Got home and we went to get Mexican.  Came home and mounted and wired smoke unit in the Conrail U boat [a UC something].  Works great.  May have to add another rectifier to cut some more voltage.

Chuck, hope you had a good one.  Tired.    GOOOD NIGHT ALL.

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by mitchelr on Thursday, May 10, 2007 10:12 PM
 fifedog wrote:

Mitchelr - that's a tuff ride straight on thru, yowza.  Wife said she'd take in the boy if he cleans kitchen and windows...

 

Fife - he barely cleans himself up on a  regular basis muchless windows or a kitchen

MitchLaugh [(-D]

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Posted by dbaker48 on Friday, May 11, 2007 1:10 AM

Evening All - Good Morning to Most I'm Sure --

Finished the maintenance and repair of the lights in the LGB train.  Now can run it in the dark, and it is working great.  Won a small package of G Scale track on ebay, 8' down only 60 to go.  Availability on the bay seems the best way to go, can't see paying $4.50 per foot.  So I think I found a gating factor.

Regarding our Griffith Park fire it is pretty much contained.  Only thing lost was some hiking and horse trails.  No buildings, homes, or developed areas.  BAD NEWS is NOW Catalina Island is burning.  That's going to be a bear!  For what ever reason most government officials don't pay much attention to them, really sad.  The fire is in the hill side above the city of Avalon for those of you familiar with the area.  Current concern is for the Hospital and High School.  Sure hope that fire in Georgia and Florida gets under control soon, as I understand over 300 sq miles have been burned.

On a brighter note, we typically go out for Brunch on Mothers Day, however my wife thought it would be fun to have Brunch here with her family and some friends.  So we are hosting a Brunch!  Been planning it this evening, and she is real excited about doing it.  Original thought was it would be less expensive, but by the time we do it all, I don't think so.  (12 or 14 people)

Surrvived the day after a trip to the Dentist and Eye Doctor, I'm convinced dentists have the same business training as mechanics, a check-up and cleaning isn't thorough unless they find something wrong.  The the eye doctor says I need a new prescription, -- Surprise --  NOT.   But, need a milder prescription, eyes are improving!  So I told them I would just dig out an older pair of glasses and everything will be fine.

Finally, as a result of getting the LGB train operating, I lost all the sound.  The sound kit I installed is nothing more than a magnetic sensor mounted on the truck on the tendor and a magnet on the axle.  So every rotation causes a chuff sound.  Was inexpensive as well about $25.  The bad news is it runs on a 9v battery, I left the switch on and the battery ran down in about 36 hrs..  So had to disassemble and replace the battery, in the process relocated the battery so it can be replaced without disassembly.  For the price I'm satisfied.  There is also a "steam" whistle that is activated by the train crossing a making a contact with a reed switch on a designated track location.  Don't have that installed yet, maybe next week.

Got to get train room ready for company on Sunday.

Have a great day !!

Fire in Cataline is getting real bad, 1 house gone, 5 businesses, people are trying to evacuate the island.  A real mess.  City of Avalon is on one end of the island, the city is completly cut-off from the airport located at other end of island.  Apparently Hover Crafts are enroute from Camp Pendalton to assist in evacuation.  Sure hope this is over rated by the media!!  BTW, Catalina is 26 miles off the coast.

Later

 

Don

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Posted by mitchelr on Friday, May 11, 2007 4:06 AM
Happy B-Day [bday]Belated Happy Birthday Chuck Happy B-Day [bday]

Hope you had a great day.

Long day yesterday.  Our day included:

  • 17 kids for discipline related issues and bus problems
  • 3 "maintenance" emergencies (flooded toilet, broken HVAC x 2)
  • 13 pallets of goods delivered only to find out part way through that the good weren't for us
  • a volunteer luncheon for 150 people
  • a parent conference
  • more phone calls regarding "issues" than I care to think about
  • two concert performances (9:00 AM and 7:00 PM)

Come on summer...

Mitch 

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 11, 2007 5:04 AM

good evening all or morning for some...

 

well todays temps were mild so i was out mowing...next yr i am killing my grass and then i will spray paint the dirt green...think that will work?

 

worked on my mustang tonigh putting on the finishing touches ...

 

did a run down of supplys for the trains room...with drywall, a attic fan with ventlation tubing, some electrician work, a ac and small heater..i got in at 600 bucks...might take me a cpl months but it will be the best i believe for my trains and myself as far as usabillity ( is that even a word?) and comfort...well off to watch a movie and do a little house cleaning.... hope everyone is haveing a good night/morning......

 

 

tell next time

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Posted by Jumijo on Friday, May 11, 2007 5:39 AM

Good morning from New England.

I hope Chuck had a great birthday yesterday...Chuck, I truly hope you enjoyed the photos. It was all in fun to brighten your day. Lately it seems I've been capable of pissing off the pope! So if they offended you or anyone else, I apologize. What am I doing differently? I have no idea. Will most likely start posting less or not much at all.

Have a great weekend, all.

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by laz 57 on Friday, May 11, 2007 6:25 AM

Hi GIZ,

  62 and foggy here to get to 82.  Got some rain last nite first time this month, grass is gonna really start growin now.

  Got call from my LHS and engines are repaired got to go and pick up tonite after school.   Maybe treat myself to something new?

  MITCH, WOW what a jammed pack day, wouldn't want your job, I'll just be a wood shop teacher.  Only 17 more days them SUMMER.

CAN"T WAIT.

Rock on,

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by cheapclassics on Friday, May 11, 2007 6:33 AM

Good morning all,

This is sounding like a broken record, but it is another beautiful, warm, and sunny day in SE Indiana with temps in the 80s.  Jim, I would not worry too much about offending people, but then I appreciate your kind of humor.  It was a nice night for the first outdoor soccer practice, but the ground was as hard as a rock and I did not wear my regular cleats.  I do not think it would matter anyway as these kids seem to get faster and younger each and I just get old.  I try to work out in the off season, but there is nothing like feet on the turf to get back up to speed.  I also had computer issues last night that kept me up later than I intended so I am dragging a little today.  Time for the dining car to head to "Points East".  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Friday, May 11, 2007 6:41 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 60 degrees. Going up to 83, with sunshine and a few clouds.

Jim ( jaabat )....Thanks again, for the posting of my life story. I certainly was not offended. In fact, I had a good laugh over it. It must have taken you a lot of time to do that. You are a good friend.

AND....Thanks again, to all of you for the Birthday wishes. I had a good one.

Today, I have to do some work outside, this morning.  Nothing urgent. I need to clean up the train room, this afternoon, for company coming tomorrow. Wife's niece and son will have supper with us. Little 4 year old may want me to run trains for his 4 minute limit. That's the length of his attention. Lots of energy.

Dining car has arrived and it's time for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Friday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by laz 57 on Friday, May 11, 2007 7:25 AM
 jaabat wrote:

Good morning from New England.

I hope Chuck had a great birthday yesterday...Chuck, I truly hope you enjoyed the photos. It was all in fun to brighten your day. Lately it seems I've been capable of pissing off the pope! So if they offended you or anyone else, I apologize. What am I doing differently? I have no idea. Will most likely start posting less or not much at all.

Have a great weekend, all.

Jim 

 

JIM, your OK no need to stop posting.  We ALL need a little ribbing every now and then.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by spankybird on Friday, May 11, 2007 8:16 AM

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

Where the temp is 75 deg with partly Blue Skies.

 Chuck - hope you had a great birthday. Did you get any new trains?

We took a need day off for a three day weekend! Maybe we can play with some trains later.

It was getting so bad, we couldn't tell if we were coming or going

All be safe

 

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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Posted by cnw1995 on Friday, May 11, 2007 8:44 AM

Good morning from a much, much cooler but sunny Chicago where I think I am getting a trolley for my birthday next week - a big box came from FedEx yesterday... Big Smile [:D]

I am looking forward to having lunch today with a fellow who was in my wedding whom I haven't seen much since then - do you have one of those friendships where you just pick up where you left off?

I enjoy every single one of your posts, Jim!

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

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Friday, May 11, 2007 9:01 AM

Morning.  Getting ready for noon meeting.  Thought you all might be interested in some greenhouse pictures [especially John F].

 Got the MTH dummy I made really smoking.  Chat later 

 

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by dwiemer on Friday, May 11, 2007 9:02 AM

Morning all, hope everyone is doing well and that you are prepared for Mother's Day.  Our fires are spreading, so far the storm off the coast is not giving us the much needed water, but it is giving the firefighters much unwanted wind.  Seems Florida is now in the mix and lots of acres ablaze.  Don, they are fortunate that Pendleton is close by.  That is about the best method for getting the folks out.

The plan this weekend is for me to get some wiring done on the layout.  If all goes well, I just need to drop some feeders and make the runs back to home plate.  Once that is done, a layer of paint on the pink foam and I can start scenery.  Before long, I will be caught up with the Chief.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

dennis

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Posted by 1688torpedo on Friday, May 11, 2007 9:08 AM
 Hello All!    Don B-  How in the world did Catalina Island catch fire if it is 26 miles off the coast??? Or is it a copycat arson? When your 1688E is ready to send back to California I'll have to ship it back wrapped up in Fireproof Material inside a Two inch thick Metal Box.Wink [;)]Wink [;)] Methinks you should build a Underground Concrete Bunker for your Trains & Layout to protect You & your family & valuables as well. Chuck- Glad you had a nice birthday. Did any 1688s stop by for a stroll on your layout?Wink [;)]Smile [:)]  Doug M- You should open up your own Trolley Museum & charge admission.Wink [;)]Wink [;)]  It sounds like you have more Trolleys than Trains now.Wink [;)]Cool [8D] Have a nice day all.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 11, 2007 9:08 AM

Mornin' guys!

Where's Lisa been?

Not much going here... called Lionel last night about the 0-8-0 and they are shipping a new Trainsounds board... this better work...

Been on the phone with a lot of contractors about work the wife wants done on the new house... I wish we could just MOVE IN!

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 11, 2007 10:12 AM

CHUCK - Belated Happy B-Day [bday] wishes.  Somehow, I missed Jim's story - did it get deleted??

CHIEF - Beautiful flowers!

Doug M - Hope that package was for you!  Have a very Happy B-Day [bday]

Dennis - been watching the fire news - Hope the weather changes soon!

Don - Terrible news about the fires out your way.  As a little aside -and a railroad story concerning a place named AVALON........  

In the late 1800's, businessmen in Winston-Salem (home of Wake Forest Univ.)  feared that the city was going to be bypassed by the railroad, leaving their town to lanquish.  Industrialists such as RJ Reynolds (tobacco) and JW Hanes (textiles) asked another businessman named Col. Fries (pronounced freeze), to find a solution.  That solution was building a 122 mile rail link across the mountains to Roanoke, Va.  to connect with the N&W.  Fries started the venture around 1887 with $41,000 with a final cost of just over $2 million.

Looking for ways to generate more freight for the railroad after it's completion in 1892, Col. Fries built a cotton mill in Mayodan (my hometown) which opened in 1896.  He built another mill about 3 mi. up the Mayo river in 1899. 

A man named W.C. Ruffin became the superintendent of Mayo Mill.  Years before, he had taken his bride to Catalina on their honeymoon and was very taken with the town of Avalon.  He suggested  the new town that centered around the mill above Mayodan be named AVALON.  Unfortunately, the mill burned down on June 15,1911.  Col. Fries decided not to rebuild but to add on to the mill in Mayodan.  The entire town was moved, house by house, building by building, on log wagons pulled by horses and mules over the next 2 yrs.  After the mill burned, the men would walk the three miles of tracks to the mill in Mayodan until they moved.  It was always dark when they returned and the wives would watch anxiously for the lanterns to appear as they were afraid the men would be hit by a passing train.

The only thing left of Avalon now is the canal and the old power house. It has been restored and operates today generating electricity that is sold to a major power company.

Lisa

PS - Lisa has been slack - tyring to deal with this eye problem - Drs Drs Drs - they have decided that it is NOT allergies - and have diagnosed me with ocular rosacea.- i.e. seemingly permanent red. swollen watery eyes.

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Posted by Anonymous on Friday, May 11, 2007 11:05 AM

Lisa,
That was a heck of a story!  Good read!  Glad you haven't given up hope for us and abandoned us! Smile [:)]

Sorry to hear about your eyes!  I hope there is something they can do for you!?!

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Posted by wrmcclellan on Friday, May 11, 2007 11:28 AM

Morning all!

Back from Wash DC and doing my part to keep Democracy alive!

Chuck - a belated Happy B-Day [bday] to you! Apparently I missed the festivities and the short lived life story posting? The good news is you are long lived! Big Smile [:D]

Lucked out and got a big chair for the trip home from DC last night. That is very rare. The flight before me, the line for First Class, Executive Platnum, and Platnum passengers was nearly half the plane! All the flights were full, so how I got the upgrade is beyond me. If you can't be born rich at least be born lucky (at least every once in a while - huh?).

Takin it easy today.

 Lisa - Neat story - thanks for sharing!. My wife and I have the same eye condition caused by a 13 yr old son and a 15 (soon to be 16) yr old daughter! Banged Head [banghead] Oh the drama!

My wife picked her up from school yesterday and she was outside the building crying. She was crying so much in class her teacher excused her. The "boyfriend" again. Oh the drama (did I say that already?).

Have a great day all!

Regards, Roy

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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Friday, May 11, 2007 12:26 PM

Good Afternoon....

Just taking a break from working in the yard.

Tom..Nope...no new trains for my Birthday. I'll have to wait for Christmas.

Lisa...I guess Jim deleted the story. It was a good one. I hope your eyes get better.

OK....back to work.

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by dwiemer on Friday, May 11, 2007 12:41 PM

Lisa, enjoyed the story, but hoping the news about your eyes is incorrect.  I would make arrangements to see a specialist at one of the main centers up that way.  Thanks for your concern.  The fires are a little east of here.  We have sent down lots of men and equipment.  The storm off the coast is causing lots of issues.

Roy, glad you made it back.  I have a 2yo daughter, so in about 14 years, I have a lot to look forward to?  I am hoping to be retired by then.

Dennis

TCA#09-63805

 

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