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

[Anonymous]

Fife,
That sucks about the clock tower... ouch!

Susan's cousin and his wife were supposed to take the aquarium, but that was 1 month ago and then I went down stairs to feed the fish and there was an algae bloom.  Susan didn't want to starve the catfish and couldn't stand a 'dirty' aquarium... so it is sticking around... LOL!

We have found a way new way to torment Tigger... all I have to do is feed the fish and she comes along... she spends a good hour watching the fish go back and forth, she even tries to catch them... she also figured out that if you open the top of the tank you can put stuff into it... good thing she is too big to fit between the shelf and the tank lid!

[kpolak]

Evening all!

Spent the day working on the new-to-me 2460 crane car.  It was in pretty bad shape.  I'm still not sure where all the oil came from...its gone now.  I'll need to go over the frame, and shell again, it didn't all come clean.  I couldn't tell until it dried, by then it was dinner time.

Doug:  Glad things are looking up!  I've got my eye on you...  Sorry eye can't think of any more...maybe tomorrow.  T'was a busy day.

Chief (Mrs. Chief):  Happy Birthday!

Lisa:  Happy Birthday!  Hope the job offers start rolling in for youse both.

I wonder if I can get some cheap tickets to tomorrows race!????  Not likely that everyone can call in sick 2-days in a row....Only about 40-minutes from here...Right...like a 2-year old will sit thru that.

Kurt

[Anonymous]

I wonder if I can get some cheap tickets to tomorrows race!????  Not likely that everyone can call in sick 2-days in a row....Only about 40-minutes from here...Right...like a 2-year old will sit thru that.

Kurt

Kurt,
A friend of mine's son loved watching NASCAR when he was two... he would sit and watch it with him for a few hours each Sunday, he even got to know a few of the drivers and their cars by the middle of the season... was kind of funny!

[wrmcclellan]

Evening all!

Another busy day today!

Temp only hit 95! It has been nice the last couple of days and with some breeze to boot. Normally it is in the high 90's or low 100's this time of year.

Phila - the dealer is trying to sort the Taurus out. They thought it was the ignition switch - but I told them that does not explain why the aolarm and door locks did not work when it is dead - hmmmmm.

Chief - extend my wishes to Pam!

Lisa -

Doug - glad to hear you are back at work. We heard the Illinois RR Museum flooded?

Dougsnotagrump - sounds like your weather has been as strange as ours this year.

Kurt - Brent - I work at home tomorrow - maybe I can catch the race if it ever runs. I wonder how long they wait before they give up and move on the the next one?

Have a great evening all!

[wrmcclellan]

Check out the web cam at the Illinois Railway Museum. Doug lives about 20 miles away if I recall correctly.

The webcam view looks from the tower and along the tracks and station on their 3-4 mile line they own.

http://www.irm.org/

 

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Busy day.  Got back from CC meeting.  Pam had a flat tire at lunch.  Was out with a good friend of ours.  Her hubby told her to put fixaflat in it.  Pissed off the tire guys this evening and me too.  Can't blame her a AAA told her over 2 hours before they could come.  Going to have a meeting with AAA tomorrow.  I may drop them as I have GE with AARP too and then Farm Bureau Ins has it too.  All the In-laws went to Italian restaurant.  GOOOOOOOD and lots of it.  Then home for cake and ice cream.  Tummy so full it HURTS.  NO POPCORN tonight.  Would EXPLODE.   Hope to work on layout tomorrow.  Got to get expenses done.  Later

WARNING TO ALL CA FOLKS.  May be going back to Indian Wells [Palm Springs] Sept 12, 13 & 14.  [Will not have time to drive anywhere.]   Checking flights to see if I can fly in on the day of the event and fly back out the next.  If not, fly in the 12th, if can fly in the 13th.     

[anjdevil2]

Lisa Lisa ---

Miss Pam in NC ---

Thanks for all the Anniversary wishes everyone...

It was hot again today, no rain humid though....had a DR's appointment, found out I have a brochial infection...WHOOPEE!!  More meds....

Then tomorrow the nephrologist (kidney doc)...hopefully no meds!!!!!

Been a long day, daughter has homework...on first day back???? that's just nuts!!!

Jaabat...I may be half blind, but that box car looks ok to me...

Fife, sorry about the clock tower..TIME for another

Have a good night all, c ya on the morrow

Rich 

[dwiemer]

Kurt, when it comes to the string (rope) on the 2460, if you go to WalMart, or any craft store, get a spool of black carpet/upholstry thread.  It is very strong and about the same thickness as the original.  I believe it is a better quality than the original thread as well.

Roy, please let us know the outcome with the car.  I forgot to mention the ignition switch, but I doubt the starter solonoid could be the culprit as you would not lose power to accessories until the battery died.

Dougsnotagrump, Not trying to kiss up to the Boss, I really did marry above myself (as Chief would attest to).  And you are right, I doubt I will ever be off train restriction.

Hope everyone has a great night,

Dennis

[fifedog]

anjdevil2 - Ohhhhh! That was pretty good...

[Brutus]

Gooey Butter Cake!  First come, first served!

TTFN

[csxt30]

Gooey Butter Cake!  First come, first served!

TTFN

Thanks Jim !!  I took care of it !!  It's all gone now !!   I didn't give Chewy any either, I didn't want Dennis hollering at me !!   Just Kidding, Dennis !!

Fife : I could here those pieces flying .  That's too bad, can you get another one like it ? Boy, I hate when stuff breaks, especially my wife's stuff. She always thinks I can glue it back together in a flash !!

Oh, forgot to tell Rich Happy anniversary this morning, or rather yesterday now. Hope you had a good one !!

Kurt : try & go to the race tomorrow !!  With so few people there, I might be able to spot you on TV !!  

Well, off to La La land for me !!  I can only dream of my new Atlas engine actually getting here some year !!

Thanks, John

[kpolak]

First, 2-year old would have to sit still for more than 5-minutes.

Second, looks like another round of storms headed our way.  Storms about to hit Chi-Town, keep an eye out Doug!  Sorry; messenger.  Storms should hit MIS about race time 10:00am, and should pass in an hour or 2.  I don't know what Nascar does in these situations.

Dennis:  Great tip on the upolstery thread!  The line is a bit discolored...is it supposed to be an olive green??  It has a few fade spots, but its strong, and wired up.  The most difficult was getting it thru the little hole in the top of the boom.  Maybe when I dissassemble again I can change it out.  Also, does this line route above the elevating nut?

Rich:  Happy Anniversary!  I enjoy saying that more than any other!

Dang...Butter cake gone...night people...

Kurt

[mitchelr]

Morning Boys (and Miss Lisa and Misty). Made a fresh pot.

Yesterday was the first day back for teachers.  It was really strange not to be involved with a staff meeting or something.   Spent most the day working on a web page for the new school.

88 - Looks like the shed may have to wait even longer with all of the rain we are getting.  

Roy - hope they fix your daughter's car.  My wife had a Ford Tempo that used to just die, then it would take forever before it would cool down and then restart.  It was under a new car warranty.  We must have taken it in and had it towed in 5 or 6 times for the same problem. They kept piddling around saying they couldn't find what was wrong, until I had an attorney draft a letter stating that after one more attempt the state's lemon law would be in effect and I could collect damages and a new car.  All of a sudden they found the problem. It was the main computer module.  Some car dealer repair shops are slime balls.  Needless to say we never bought another car from that dealer.

LAZ - are you back to work this week? 

Happy Birthday and Anniversary to Lisa, to Pam, and Happy Anniversary to Rich.  Hope I didn't miss any other celebrations.

Got to get going.  Have  great day.

Mitch 

[Jumijo]

Happy birthday to Lisa! And you are how old, Lisa? Enjoy your day. Treat yourself to some New England maple syrup! I can't help you with any gons or flatcars. All I have that you would even be slightly interested in is some Norfolk Southern hoppers...one or two of which are destined to become blue B&M hoppers!

I took apart my new Marx 1666 last night and couldn't get it to run once back together. The gears are binding.  It really did need to be cleaned. The comutator was black and the entire motor was covered with old oil. One of the brushed fell inside the frame and the only way to get it was to yank the commutator out. Getting it back in was a little tricky, but it's back in. Got to work on those binding gears!

Fall-like temps here lately. It makes for great sleeping weather.

Jim 

[jonadel]

Good Morning from a very soggy Iowa where flood warnings are everywhere and wet basements are in the news for some unfortunate folks.

Haven't posted much to the forum much this summer but I still lurk in the shadows checking layout progress and the occasional drama's that pop up. After 5 months of planning and waiting I just returned from a wonderful 10 day motorcycle trip around Lake Superior, some of you may be familiar with the Circle Tour around the Great Lakes, if not, you should consider Googling it and check it out. I joined our son from St. Paul where we left from and all I can tell you is that it was one of the best weeks of my life. 1900 glorius miles & smiles, fantastic weather the whole way and wonderfully cooled temps. If any of you want more info, contact me off list.

Mitch & Laz--been thinking about you and the beginning of the school year, an exciting time and yet sad as the summer comes to an end.

John F.--also thought about you and meeting you last year at York, received my info yesterday, we loved PA and the meet. We will pass this fall but will be there next year, I think every other year will be perfect for us. If it weren't for the distance we would be there every year.

Chief--you need to get back to the midwest for another store opening so we can trade lies :)

Buckeye-- thanks again for the trip recommendations, the Soo locks were amazing as were the lodging suggestions.

I'm still not ready to head downstairs to the train room, I love working outside and being on the bike and I'm afraid our warm days are limited. I hope we have at least another 6 weeks of warm weather. The fall season in Iowa is one of my favorite season's but I sure hate what happens after October. Oh well, that's what the train room is for!

Stay well everyone.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cloudy 68 degrees. Going up to 80 today, with some morning thunderstorms predicted. Had a lot of rain last night.

Today looks like an indoor day, at least this morning. Maybe clearing this afternoon. Getting tired of all this rain. I have a few things to do, and then maybe run trains later.  I don't think I will be mowing today. Glad I got the back mowed yesterday.

Well, Dining Car is here and it's time for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is supposed to be hot and humid in SE Indiana today, but it was cool and raining this morning.  For once I did not have to drive to work.  The temperature gauge on the truck pegged the high mark just as I got home last night so I took it to the mechanic.  It has over 80,000 miles so it might be  a water pump gone bad as all the belts appear to be fine.  I went to the YMCA and did weights last night, and I got to bed earlier as well.  Soccer is scheduled for tonight and I will learn a lot on how the boys' season will go tonight.  Just the usual fare on the dining car this morning.  Happy birthday to Lisa and Pam!  I hope everyone (even the NASCAR fans in Michigan) have a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Morning all

Overcast and 72 in Southern Ohio.  Hard to believe Summer winding down.  I have a formation retreat this weekend and classes start in September.  Time has been flying.  This quarter is going to be Cannon Law and Pauline Books.  Both should be interesting.

Going to work on redoing the exterior doors at church later today depending on the weather.  May at least get them sanded.   

Need to clean track on the layout.  Was running trains for company we had and they kept cutting out.  Dignosed dirty track.  The one time I don't mind haveing a small layout.

Got to go.  Everyone take care and may God bless

Jim 

[Anonymous]

88 - Looks like the shed may have to wait even longer with all of the rain we are getting.  

Mitch,
Yeah, now I'm worried that the OSB may have to be replaced due to all the rain!  That will just really... shouldn't have waited to do the roof on Sunday... oh well.

Car is acting up again... replaced the drive shaft and it is doing the exact same thing it was doing before... $1,000.00 for a drive shaft... I'm a bit ticked off... I didn't think it was the drive shaft, just didn't make sense.  The car feels like it is going to shake apart when I accelerate, not while cruising... so you tell me... a drive shaft only vibrates when accelerating?

[phillyreading]

Just saw an internet report on Hurricane Dean, part of Mexico is got slammed by the hurricane, and Texas can expect more rain from the storm.  Even in West Palm Beach we got some rain from Hurricane Dean, so that is deffinately one huge & powerful storm!!!  For those of you near the southwest U.S. try to stay dry!

Not bad (8:40am est)yet as far as temperature outside this morning but will heat up by noontime.

Going thru stuff from the train show that I bought and trying to put some stuff on my layout.  Also have to look for work again, lost my job last week-budget cut, out of work again!

Lee F.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  Rainy day again today.  Only to get to 65 again.  Last day o vacation, in service tomorrow and Thursday.  Going to Lancaster today to pet shop then to BARRYs to see whats new?  Last day o vacation so got to go to TRAIN SHOP.

  CHIEF   to PAM.

  LISA to you.

  All have a good one.

laz57

[sir james I]

MORNING

Happy birthdays to those willing to admit it.

62 this morning 69 damp degrees in the house,75 by this afternoon. We got all of our summer rain at once 3 inches in 48 hrs, more predicted. Gulf storm has raised reg gas back to $3.10 gal. I bought gas in Ohio sat at$2.77. What a scre...g.

Hungry but don't want to cook. maybe toast. and then some choo-choos.  Later,  Sir James

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a grey and foggy Chicago where gasoline prices are the highest in the country, it is expected to rain again later tonight, and I'm still scaring people off with my red 'evil eye.' I don't mind the weather though this must be what it's like to live in Portland. 

Roy, the Illinois Railway Museum was flooded in all the wrong places - the webcams look awful. No equipment loss though. It caused them to cancel their Thomas days over the weekend and take just a huge income hit. The Chicago Air and Water show was cancelled on Sunday. The pilots couldn't tell the difference between lake and sky. Rats. I wanted to see the F-22. The anti-radon work a few years back had the unexpected benefit of making the basement super-dry so I'm OK, but I'm not sure how to check the sump now that it is in a sealed pit. I am having a guy come look at the roof tomorrow. It's looking rather beat-up.

Tonight's my late night - last class of the summer. Hope I get a few more students in my fall class. to Lisa!!

[dwiemer]

Happy Birthday to Pam and Lisa!!!!  Lisa, Town and Country Hobbies has flatcars for $15.  They also have some with loads for a little more.  They have a web site that also includes some great pewter figures.

Jon, glad to see you stopping in.  Always enjoyed the photos of your layout.  Look forward to the next one.

Chief, hope you get to treat Miss Pam real well today. 

Getting ready to head in.  One of the senior guys is celebrating his 50th birthday today, so I will stop and pick up a gift certificate and card.

FIL and his bride are here to watch the kids as regular sitter is on vacation.  This may free some time up so I can actually get to the trains....if SWMBO allows it.

Have a blessed day,

Dennis

[dwiemer]

Doug, the F22 is huge and quite remarkable.  I got to sit in one....fantastic!  One of my friends was a chief engineer on the project at Lockheed.  The rear stabilizers are bigger than the delta wings on a Mig 29.  Like I said, it is huge.  I also got to see it in demonstration and got a lot of goodies while on my visit.  I hope that you get to see it soon.

Dennis

[kpolak]

Car is acting up again... replaced the drive shaft and it is doing the exact same thing it was doing before... $1,000.00 for a drive shaft... I'm a bit ticked off... I didn't think it was the drive shaft, just didn't make sense.  The car feels like it is going to shake apart when I accelerate, not while cruising... so you tell me... a drive shaft only vibrates when accelerating?

Brent:  Can you get under the car???  Check to see if the transmission is secured to the crossmember in the frame.  The trans may be wagging its tail.

Kurt

[phillyreading]

Kurt,

A drive shaft should vibrate all the time except maybe when braking, sounds like a lame excuse from the dealership.   If the problem happens on accelaration then it is ignition timing or computer controlled spark issue.   Transmisssion would not happen all the time mainly an occasional knock or bump, however if Ford left out some mounting screws or bracket that could be differant.

$1000.00 for a drive shaft? Hope it was gold plated for that kind of money.  A drive shaft for a front wheel drive only costs about $375.00 installed, price is down here in south Florida a.k.a. rip off city.

Go to an outside mechanic for another opion, don't go to Pep Boys or Firestone as I have had bad experiances with both in the past, as I feel Ford is cleaning out your wallet.

Lee F.

[Blueberryhill RR]

88 - Looks like the shed may have to wait even longer with all of the rain we are getting.  

Mitch,
Yeah, now I'm worried that the OSB may have to be replaced due to all the rain!  That will just really... shouldn't have waited to do the roof on Sunday... oh well.

Car is acting up again... replaced the drive shaft and it is doing the exact same thing it was doing before... $1,000.00 for a drive shaft... I'm a bit ticked off... I didn't think it was the drive shaft, just didn't make sense.  The car feels like it is going to shake apart when I accelerate, not while cruising... so you tell me... a drive shaft only vibrates when accelerating?

Brent....A drive shaft should NEVER vibrate. They are balanced at the factory. Weights are welded on them. If it still vibrates after a new drive shaft, then it is something else in the drive train. Could even be the engine is missing on acceleration and not in cruising. This even could be the transmission. Good luck.

Chuck

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Check the motor mounts and transmission mounts.  They are probably rubber in a metal frame.  Look for cracks in the rubber or loose mounts.  The harmonic balancer will also cause vibration on acceleration.  You may want to see about a refund for the trans shaft.

Good luck

Jim 

[Brutus]

88 - I think your OSB should be okay but let it dry out before you put the roofing on it.  You'll know if I'm wrong, because it will be coming apart or otherwise sagging and look bad after it dries out.  Good luck and watch out for black mold!

Just got a call - I'm off with the kids again today - and we're meeting up with my wife and a friend for an afternoon showing of the new Potter movie, so gotta go.  I'll get back on later.  TTFN!