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

[dwiemer]

Good Morning Y'all!

Doug, the movie will be called "Fireproof".  We are scheduling the casting call towards the end of the month....prerequisit, all involved must be of high moral caliber and have a good witness.  The focus will be around firefighters as the name implies.  God has already blessed it in that things are falling into place....My neighbor has donated his firetruck, we have ambulances, police cars, and plenty of equipment already available. 

Chief, It looks like we will be arriving Saturday morning, will that work?  When are you leaving?  Look forward to getting together. 

As to heat, when we were leaving the movies yesterday, the temp was over 100.  To say it was steamy would be an understatement.  That's OK, we can handle it, but Kevin, if you want to open the door, it would be appreciated!

Dennis

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is hot and humid again today in SE Indiana with temps and humidity in the 90s.  It is miserable.  My dad was over for a visit for a little while last night, which was nice.  Lucas was working at the library.  They are finally giving him some more hours, which he can use.  My wife and I both went to the YMCA last night. We did 30 minutes on the track.  I am starting to work on running.  It will be a gradual process, but I hope to be able to do 30 minutes consistently (cue "Rocky" music, but I will not drink 5 raw eggs).  I saw not one, but two CSX trains on the way to work this morning.  Just the usual fare on the dining car this morning.  Regarding the conversations concerning the Art Institute in Chicago, my favorite piece of art work is Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" and I always check that out when I am there.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a humid 75 degrees. Going up to 90, again today. Maybe some afternoon thunderstorms.

Today, I am working  around the house on a few things that need to be done. Maybe, later, I will spend some time in the train room working on a few scenery ideas I have. This is a slow process. But, I am in no rush.

I was looking thru the new Lionel catalog, last night and I saw a few things that may be on my " want list ". The Dockside switcher was one of them.

Dining Car is here and ready for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Oh boy... folks the only thing that belongs on popcorn is Butter - and maybe some fresh cracked pepper.

Made loads of progress on the shed...

This was as of Saturday afternoon:


This was after last night:


Have to get the siding up and the roofing done by Thursday as they are calling for storms Friday through Saturday, and we are leaving on Friday for Susan's graduation...

Fife - Looks like success!  Will confirm in two weeks...  Sorry to hear about the lightning strike... you need to install line conditioners for the stereo and tv, then get a APC UPS for the computer.  Regular surge protectors don't really do anything and the line conditioner will provide financial insurance if something happens to your equipment while it is connected to the device, and it will make your audio and video MUCH clearer as you won't have all the interferance from Radio Frequencies and surges and lags in your power.

[rtraincollector]

Maple syrup on grits!...Thats just wrong

Nick

 

 

Grits is just wrong PERIOD.

[Jumijo]

Greeting from the Eastern Tendefoot!

Jim F., years ago, I dated a sweetie that introduced me to parmesain cheese on popcorn. It was great! Try it, you'll like it.

Not surprised to hear about all that hot air in the south now that a certain someone is a government leader...

Someone asked about how I intend to letter the passenger cars...decals. I have 1/2 sheet of clear decal film that hasn't been used, so I'll make the Lionel Lines on the film along with my New Haven and B&M decals. Waste not want not, but I think Olsen's has the rubber stamps. If not, there is a guy on eBay all the time selling them.

We had a little trouble with our Percy last night. He was not running smoothly and several times he stopped completely. I lubed him as best I could with no change in performance seen. He hasn't been run in some time, so maybe he just needs to get the kinks worked out.

 

Jim 

[mitchelr]

Morning to All.

Just brewed a fresh pot. Did not check last night but see it has been kind of slow.

Fife = sorry to hear about the lightning strike.  We had that happen last summer. Lost the cable modem, TV, DVD player, wireless switch, and ethernet port on computer. The ethernet is hard wired into the motherboard on this eMac, so insurance paid to replace it (well they paid some $$$, not replacement cost).  I found a work around for now using wireless card to connect to new wireless router.  Pretty fast so have not replaced computer yet.  Good luck.

Heat has been unbearable. More to come. Chief - I hope you can stay cool.  We are hot, but not that hot... Helped my son install a new cdplayer/radio in his vehicle last night, felt like I had been swimming when we finished. 

Have a great day,

Mitch 

 

[kpolak]

Ahhhh..a nice frosty mug of the ol' Sasparilli...

Nice pics of the NS!

Doug:  I recently had to take a sabbatical from running the sound board at church.  Betroth's work schedule + 2-1/2, + 6-mo + 8-hours on the weekend at church were too much of a load the family happiness.  I managed a sound crew of 8.  Once a month volunteer (for them). One week CD's + 4-singers one week; 7-piece band + 4 singers the next...Now a band each week.  I'm more of a techie.  Yes...I do know what all those buttons do.

I love the Chicago Art Institute!!!  American Gothic is one of my favorites.

Storms last night...dog back in bed.

Kurt

[Nick12DMC]

Nick12DMC,

I remember having power problems with my stereo when I was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army, some equipment would work only on 120 volts, most of my stereo would work on either; 120, 220 or 240 volts A.C., had a voltage switch on the back by the fuse holder.  Turntable and cassette player had a speed adjusting knob on it to compensate for 50 or 60 Hertz.  Had to buy a small 220 to 120 transformer for one piece of stereo.

In the U.S. we have power invertors for 12 volt D.C. to 120 volt A.C.  Don't know what you have for household voltage in the U.K.

Maple syrup tastes good on pecan pancakes, don't even think of putting maple syrup on grits!

Lee F.

Lee, Sadly Lionel don't put a little 50/60Hz switch on their kit. Running certain stuff on 50Hz causes all sorts of problems (CW-80, Trainsounds, Certain TMCC gear).

Our Household voltage is 230V 50Hz. Basicly we needed a frequency converter but these are serious money. So together with other members of the Lionel Collectors Club UK we came up with using a 230V to 13.8V (simulates a full charged battery) DC power supply and a 12V to 110/120V 60Hz AC U.S. spec pure sine inverter. This gives us U.S. spec power that allows us to run everything you guys can without nasty surprises.

Maple syrup on grits!...Thats just wrong

Nick

 

 

[csxt30]

Well, just home from work, on my way to have some strawberry shortcake with Chewey !! I hope she doesn't get that on her now !!

Boy, that was a scarry picture up theere I just saw !! Locomotives from............................ "The Dark Side" !!  

RT : just kidding, nice pictures !!  (don't tell The Chief I said that !!)  

Well, unwound enough for now, so TTFN !!

Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

Long day gang. RT, thanks for decent pictures.   None of that CSX trash I've seen posted lately.   Dennis [Dr. John], will arrrive about 10:45 AM CDT on the 16th [Thursday] if US Airways does as they promise.  Flying to Miami and arriving the afternoon of the 15th, teach a class, go to hotel, sleep early as 6 AM flight out to Charlotte on 16th to fly back down to Montgomery.

Tripple digits tomorrow.  Heat index 110 and above for the next three days.  Still plan to do SOUNDBOARD tomorrow.

Popcorn eaten as starving when I got home tonight at 10:45.  Good night all.

[Brutus]

Well, my son introduced a new one to me - he put ketchup on his popcorn.    I'm not trying it.  Now, mustard is good!  But ketchup?  That's just wrong.  Watching Flip This House on DVR, then to bed.  John, there is some strawberry shortcake desert in the freezer (weightwatchers, but really good).  TTFN!

[cnw1995]

Good evening from a hot and muggy Crystal Lake where I am babysitting the daughter and her boyfriend whilst they watch TV in the front room... I spent most of today with my uncle and aunt - took them to the Art Institute - even got one of them in for free, then over to Fields uh Macy's for lunch in the Walnut Room. I got back in time to work for 45 minutes before leaving to catch my train. A nice day. Tornado warnings all around, very dark but no rain. Just checked our Internet connection at speedtest.net. I'm getting what I pay for tonight.

I feel your pain, fife. Lightning is bad even with all the surge protectors in the world.

Jim A, cream soda! That's an eastern tenderfoot drink. Real men drink sasparilla.

Barkeep! A round for all the boys.

Dennis, I've worked my way up so to speak from pushing a button for Powerpoint to camera, shading, video switching, assisting and now directing. I have three broadcast-quality cameras (but not HD), two huge portable DDRs with separate feeds from our main campus and three other video sources for graphics and other special effects. I don't know what all of it does or how it works, but I'm learning how to tell everyone what to do though frankly, I'd do anything to help. It's sure fun. Can you tell anything about the new film?

[rtraincollector]

Well other half and I went out to the store and on the way back look what I saw sitting on the tracks on the way home.

 

 

 

 

Just for chief

[fifedog]

Evenin' boys.  Just checking in.  My residence took a lightning strike Friday afternoon.  It appears the bolt hit the bottom of my maple out front, then found its way to the water main pipe, then invited itself in, zapping my family room tv and computer modem.  New one is being "over-nighted", so hope to be back up and running in a few days.

You all take care.

[dwiemer]

Good Evening Y'all.  Wife and I went on our date tonight.  Saw Bourne Ultimatum....great flick, even has some train scenes.  Then out to Red Lobster as the Sushi place didn't open till later. 

Rich, sorry to hear about the PE deal.  Our local Dillard's post Christmas sale had them at about $125.00, so you may want to check with them after then.

Doug, I have never run the director's chair, but have had a few of the camera positions and run the light board.  Also ran the upstairs sound board one time, but that wasn't my thing.  We run 4 cameras per service and have our own broadcast station.  We are looking at getting the new digital cameras 10xp that are out for doing the movies and also for services.  They run about $30K each., but it reduces the need to contract out for the cameras when we shoot the movie.  Speaking of which, we will begin production October 1st.

Chief, hope all is going well with the Mayoral duties.  Are you going to make Prattville?  Look forward to it.

Y'all have a great night.

Dennis

[kpolak]

Jaabat:  Are you planning on using stamps for the Lionel Lines title or decals???  If stamps, where are you buying them from?

Rich:  I just checked...The origional Polar Express thread is not there...The vendor is known for questionable 'deals'.  I guess this has happened on a few other occasions.

Kurt

[Jumijo]

I'm at the Tombstone saloon where I'm throwing back one cream soda after another with reckless abandon...

We just came up from running trains. The kids have a set of Lionel O27 Amtrack passenger cars that I'm thinking about re-doing as Lionel Lines. These cars would then match the post war 2400 series cars we have. Now to think up suitable names for those 3 coaches and a vista dome. I think "Chief Eagles" would look great on the vista dome. Maybe name the other 3 after my children.

Gotta run. Stiffler's mom is ringing the doorbell...

Jim

[Brutus]

American Pie (movie) - two kids checking out Spicoli's (sp?) hot mom.  One calls her a MILF.  Email me if you want more (edited).

Jim,
Spicoli was Sean Penn's character in Fasttimes at Ridgemont High.  The character in American Pie was Stiffler.

'OH Jeanenne....'

'Call me Stiffler's Mom!'

'OH! Stifflers' Mom!'

LOL!  Love those movies... Can't wait for SuperBad to come out...

  Brain Fart - you're right of course!  Stiffler's mom!

John S. Have fun at work!  Chewy and I are having leftovers for dinner.  She's eating whatever the kids drop on the floor, though

Got my Halloween Handcar - they definitely changed this one from the catalog prototype!  But, like my wife said, I would have bought it anyway!

[rtraincollector]

Hey chief heres a pic for you its near my new place in the city park

and a mile farther down the road is a NS station

[Blueberryhill RR]

 

I think I just saw a tumble weed roll through...man this place is dead.

So,....you're in the Tombstone Saloon, huh ??

[anjdevil2]

***crickets****

 Kurt & Laz,  I registered and posted on Slickdeals, so we'll see.  Just really dissapointed about that.

Just had a 10 minute rain event, now up to 200% humidity, steam coming off pavement...!!!!

Time to go home......and maybe finish up the tables!!! 

 

[Jumijo]

 

I think I just saw a tumble weed roll through...man this place is dead.

[csxt30]

Good Afternoon Everyone !! Just getting ready to get to the ole grind again !!

Boy, The Chief sure is busy today !! No trains for him today !!

I wonder what Jim will have for me & Chewey tonight after work !! 

Kurt : thanks for the email & hope you like that centipede kit when you get it !! That won't violate your train restriction, I don't think !!

Laz : hope the muscles come around !!

Hope everyone has a nice day !!

Thanks, John

[kpolak]

Afternoon all!

6-hours at the ER yesterday, ultra-sound didn't show stones outside of G'baldder, bloodwork came back relatively normal.  Betrothed said she still had pain, and didn't feel right.

Sent us home, said to take vicadin for the pain...Might be back again today.

Chief:  I may need to take you GIZ up on the TTBA.  Just missed on a Christmas Dump car last night $48 delivered...I had $47.  I would have gone higher, but was busy...Whew... that was close.  That would have been difficult to explain.  Yes dear, I did buy one of those last year...Can I get a cool certificate like the Summit gang?

Doug:  Sounds like you attend a pretty big church; glad you're back in action.  Maybe too much action if you need Toy Train Intervention.

Brent:  Mmmmm saurkraut!  Dad and I used to eat the Silver Floss stuff right out of the can!

Rich:  Sorry about the train...Log on to Slickdeals.net; search forums for Lionel; and let them know.  That's where this started.

It's cold and humid here.  Fan's running, air's on, but we can't get rid of the humidity.

John:  Thanks for the photo of the velocipede!  I think I'm going to buy one.....Oops...Did I say that out loud????

Kurt

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  68 and humid here to get to 82 then the big blast from the SOUTH, not the CHIEF either.  To get to 99 by Wed.  NO laz CAMP last two days, I strained my right oblique muscle.  It is the muscle right above the hip, very painful, when you breath.  Worst pain I felt since tearing my bicept a few years ago.  Happened on Saturday lifting a pot belly stove, took two Aleve and that had my head spinning.  Still hurting today but went for a short walk.  I'll just walk it off.

  RICH sorry to here bout the POLAR EXPESS being cancelled.

  All have a good one.

laz57

[anjdevil2]

NOTE TO THOSE WHO BOUGHT FROM THE

HOME DECORATORS COLLECTION!!!!

I just checked my bank statement and found a CREDIT from HDC.  They have CANCELLED my POLAR EXPRESS order, sent a letter on 7/31 via SNAIL MAIL (of course I didn't get...yet).  They have refused tohonor my purchase and all they said was, Gee, we're sorry, we just can't get 'em. I ordered my set at almost 9:30am....SO LOOK FOR YOUR CREDIT!!!

Just a heads up!

Rich

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a hot and very humid Chicago where I hope to meet my uncle and aunt later this morning and squire them through the Art Institute of Chicago with my newly minted membership. I guess I'm not too motivated to work today.

Had a good weekend - went out to a fondue place on Fri. night - my middle boy left for camp on Saturday and I immediately cleaned up his room with the help of the five year old (who was in heaven exploring his brother's toys).  Mostly, I wanted to rescue a train layout that has been under his bed for a long time. So everything's nicely cleaned and stored for him

I enjoyed returning to as video director at church for the first time since my eye stuff on Sun. Especially as the bride had a long intense drama sketch in the services. Then we took the youngest all the way into the city to the Lincoln Park Zoo. It was incredibly humid but we were fortunate to see all sorts of his favorite animals up and around.

Gas is around $2.99: Don, the difference here IS taxes.

Dennis, my prayers go out to that young man with cancer. How was your date?  The bride and I try to have a standing date every Fri night. The boys watch wrestling on TV and we just go out somewhere even if it's just for ice cream or a beer (I prefer the latter). It's sure wonderful to connect after the week.

Chief, can I join the TTBA?

Jim A, those B&A and soon-to-be NH boxcars look wonderful. You're a great modeller.

[Jumijo]

 

Well, my 6464-725 decal art is all drawn up and ready for printing.

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Morning all

Wet and warm in Southern Ohio; border secure

Dennis - As far as the ebay thing, I kept all the correspondence and in his listing regarding payment the listing said "immediate payment required".

Our county fair is this week and it traditionally rains a good bit of the week.  When our girls were younger they were in 4-H.  They did well in several events, mostly non-livestock, but we did show goats and rabbits.  They learned skills that still serve them well.

Start nights tonight, so going to do some cleaning up and if it drys cut grass at my friends house.  Going to have company for supper Tuesday and they will want to see the trains, so going to clean up the table and track some.  Need to be quiet because bride worked nights last night and she is sleeping the the room next to the train room.  Makes me wish I would of used more sound deading techniques when building the table!

All take care and may God bless

Jim