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

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was a beautiful sunny day in SE Indiana with temps in the 70s again.  The first day at the new job was mostly orientation and getting stuff squared away.  The drive in and home was not bad either.  The MSI in Chicago is a must see and the Art Institute is not bad either.  My favorite painting, "Nighthawks" by Edward Hopper is there.  I think MR did an article on how to model that scene on a layout one time.  That was a good picture of the CTT bunch at York.  As far as the South being involved in winning, the best race driver did come from Texas, but he did it at a Northern track  (AJ at Indy).   I hope everyone has a good day.  By the way, the dining car will be sending bran muffins to "Points East" tomorrow.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[GregM]

Dr. John,

I take it from your question that you are not a TCA member currently.  If that is the case, I would be happy to sign your application form for you.  Once you are a member of TCA, the Eastern Division will send you an invitation each six months to sign up to attend the semi-annual meet in York, PA.  That is not the only reason to become a TCA member but it is a very good one.  The membership application is available online at

http://www.tcamembers.org/membership/application.pdf

If joining the TCA is not for you, you can still attend the York meet one time as a guest of a member. 

Edit:  When I saw Jim's post above mine I went back to see what I had missed.  Jim, in spite of the Chief's directive, I extend the same offer to you regarding signing your membership application.

 

Don, did you find a CTT truck? 

[Brutus]

Chief, sounds like you guaranteed me at least 2 signatures for TCA with that one   Thanks Fife, I'll get back to you on that for sure!  Dougdagrump - I saw that one in an email I got the other day, very neat looking!  I really want that laboratory set from last year.  Doug M - I'll second that on the Museum of Science and Industry, the Aquarium and the Natural History Museum.  Next time we're in Chicago, I'll email you and get directions to some other sites.  My favorite two places last time I was in Chicago were the 1950's MacDonalds and Pizzeria Due (across the street from UNO).  Also - thought of you yesterday while my son and I were watching a Harold Lloyd movie I taped.  He was trying to kill himself and so he stood in the road in front of an oncoming street trolley - looked like it was going about 40 MPH, then turn off just before it got him!

[1688torpedo]

 Marty- The Southerners keep forgetting about General Sherman's March to the Sea. Especially Dennis & Roy- Both New Jersey Natives & Traitor's to their Home State "Those who forget History are doomed to repeat it"   Take Care.

[MartyE]

Boy now I got LAZ and Chief PO'd at me.

[Blueberryhill RR]

^ Thanks very much for all that great information. My parents lived in Chicago but we left when I was 5 (1973) and have not been back since. I have a dim recollection of the MSI, and my liking for O-gauge actually began by staring, fascinated, at the old and sadly no more O-gauge layout at the Museum. In fact, the MSI is one of the main purposes of the trip.

I tried and failed to interest my wife in a Cubs game. It was almost sold out anyway!

RTF, I used to live in Northern Indiana as a kid.  My first visit to Chicago was to the MSI.  They had to drag me out of there.  Doug didn't say anything about the Natural History Museum or the Aquarium, both places I enjoy.   Kids love the dinosaur skeletons.

You know that anything with sucess attached to it has to have Southerners involved.

How do you explain the civil war? 

Marty, Congratulations !!!  Your post just became one of the entrants to the TOP TEN POSTS of 2007. Short and to the point.

Marty....You have my vote. The North won and the South is still whinning about it.

[Buckeye Riveter]

^ Thanks very much for all that great information. My parents lived in Chicago but we left when I was 5 (1973) and have not been back since. I have a dim recollection of the MSI, and my liking for O-gauge actually began by staring, fascinated, at the old and sadly no more O-gauge layout at the Museum. In fact, the MSI is one of the main purposes of the trip.

I tried and failed to interest my wife in a Cubs game. It was almost sold out anyway!

RTF, I used to live in Northern Indiana as a kid.  My first visit to Chicago was to the MSI.  They had to drag me out of there.  Doug didn't say anything about the Natural History Museum or the Aquarium, both places I enjoy.   Kids love the dinosaur skeletons.

You know that anything with sucess attached to it has to have Southerners involved.

How do you explain the civil war? 

Marty, Congratulations !!!  Your post just became one of the entrants to the TOP TEN POSTS of 2007. Short and to the point.

[Anonymous]

You know that anything with sucess attached to it has to have Southerners involved.

How do explain the civil war? 

That's a good one!  The South was INVOLVED, they just lost...

[dwiemer]

Well, got the tractor fixed....mostly.  I am OFF CALL!, but I am tired.  I need to work on the pulley system as every time I hit the clutch, the drive belt comes off.  Oh well, we will get there.

I am anxiously awaiting my Wabash Hudson.  Supposed to be here today, but we shall see.  I will not be able to get back to the layout till later in the week.

Chief, congrats, he sure is a cute one.  Make sure he grows up with the best, God, Guns, and Trains!

Dennis

[MartyE]

You know that anything with sucess attached to it has to have Southerners involved.

How do explain the civil war? 

[ChiefEagles]

Hi all,

Wow, you miss a day on the forum and you miss a lot! Hope everyone is having a good day.

Sunny and breezy in Dixie today. About 80 degrees and low humidity - wish I could be outside to enjoy it. Still need rain, some is expected by Thursday.

Glad to see the York bunch made it with no bail bonds required! One question - to attend York, do you have to be a member of the TCA Eastern Division or can any TCA member attend? Does one have to live in Pennsylvania or the surrounding states to be a member of the Eastern Division? Inquiring minds want to know!

Dr. John, I can answer that.  If only PA folks could attend, it would be a failure.  If only Yanks could attend, it would be a failure.  You know that anything with sucess attached to it has to have Southerners involved.  Meet us there this fall.

[Dr. John]

Hi all,

Wow, you miss a day on the forum and you miss a lot! Hope everyone is having a good day.

Sunny and breezy in Dixie today. About 80 degrees and low humidity - wish I could be outside to enjoy it. Still need rain, some is expected by Thursday.

Glad to see the York bunch made it with no bail bonds required! One question - to attend York, do you have to be a member of the TCA Eastern Division or can any TCA member attend? Does one have to live in Pennsylvania or the surrounding states to be a member of the Eastern Division? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Anonymous]

^ Thanks very much for all that great information. My parents lived in Chicago but we left when I was 5 (1973) and have not been back since. I have a dim recollection of the MSI, and my liking for O-gauge actually began by staring, fascinated, at the old and sadly no more O-gauge layout at the Museum. In fact, the MSI is one of the main purposes of the trip.

I tried and failed to interest my wife in a Cubs game. It was almost sold out anyway!

[cnw1995]

Ah, Spring in Chicago! Figuring you'll be by Lake Michigan (where everything is cooler), expect highs in the low 60s, lows in the high 40s or low 50s, with a 50-50% chance of showers for half the week. A light jacket and an umbrella would be appropriate.

The MSI is glorious - see the Zephyr and train layout. You can spend an entire day there. There's a pricey Thomas the Tank Engine store in Water Tower Place. There's two glorious hobby stores in the near suburbs right off the Metra. Ride the El around the Loop or even up to Addison to see the Cubs - they're home that Friday - or just wander that neighborhood. I prefer the Sox but there's nothing by their park. Visit Union Station to see its cavernous waiting area; eat lunch in the former Dearborn Station - there's a neat bookstore by it too.

My office is just by the Art Institute if you want to visit.  Way out in Union, the Illinois Railway Museum is actually open most of that week but no trains are operating - except on May 5th - North Shore Line 714, CTA 3142, BN 5382 (and coaches) are expected to operate. One of the best museums in the country. The Fox Valley Trolley museum isn't open yet.

[dougdagrump]

Mornin Gentlemen & Lisa....

I'll assume that that term applies to some of "yuz giz" as Laz would say.

Jim F._ Check out the Dept 56 site, one of the new items for halloween this year is a radio station. Call letters are HOWL Radio, I didn't get a real good look at the DJ but if they had gotten a license to use the "BeetleJuice" character it would have been better. Kooljock needs one of these for his broadcast studio.

Now for some bad news, I have to make a trip down to Winter Park, Fl for an unknown period of time. My step-mom has been placed in hospice care and we are not sure as to how long she will hold on. Knowing the love and devotion that she and my dad had for each other I think she will not put up much of a fight as she is anxious to join him. It is hard to believe it has been six years since he passed. Really starts to make you feel old when you realize that you are now the eldest generation.  

Now, on a happier note I should be receiving (unfortunately I won't be here) a Lionel Rock Island GP-7 from the 2002 catalog. When I get back I'll find a Williams dummy unit install a Lionel GP-9 upgrade kit for a real nice 3 unit lashup.

Haven't decided about taking a laptop with me, it is just such a pain in the to go thru security anymore. My sympathies to you that have to do it as part of your regular routine.

Later Dudes & Dudettes !!!!!

   

[fifedog]

Chief - Just trying to show that I am multifacelifted....errr something like that...

[ChiefEagles]

Chief - no problemo...

JimF - Got one signature right here.

88 - When you are ready, mon fraire.

Just like a Yank.  Can't speak English properly [like us Southerners do] and trying to speak a foreign language.

[fifedog]

Chief - no problemo...

JimF - Got one signature right here.

88 - When you are ready, mon fraire.

[Anonymous]

cnw1995,  my wife and I are visiting Chicago the first week in May. Can you give us a general idea of what to expect weatherwise?

My tickets to the Museum of Science and Industry are already in hand, but if you know any other good train-related tourist destinations, that would also be great. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Chief,
Sorry didn't see your correction posts... my computer took the nose dive yesterday so was not on to fix...   I never ignore your posts on purpose!

Just got off the phone with the mechanic... $1,000.00 to fix the bimmer...

needs a new secondary air pump motor, secondary air pump housing, mounting brackets, front facia sheild brackets, coolant thermostat, serpentine belt, s-belt tensioner, new hoses, and a coolant flush.  Car just turned 105,000 miles on Friday so I guess it isn't that bad.  Going to need a tune-up in a month or so...

Fife - I get paid on Wednesday so after paying the bills I'll know where I stand.  I'll email Wednesday when I'll be able to pickup the cow and calf (latest will be the first full week in May when the rent check gets here).

[ChiefEagles]

Mornin' boys.  Coffee please, and just keep it coming 'til I beg you to stop.  Can't get the cobwebs out.

Fortner - Yes, you have to be a TCA member to attend YORK.  You can get your application on-line....and Yes, we all had a great time, and YES, the YORK show is thriving, and YES, we'd love to have ya.

You have to have two members to recommend you.  That may be a problem.

 

Morning.  Pretty day.  You ever notice that there is a Yankee that does not have a computer so he can't post on weekends and holidays.  Well, upon returning to work, he sure makes up for it.   Slept until 8:30.  Nice to be retired.  Do have to work an event in Charlotte this weekend.  Piece of cake.  Get my discount.  Notice how Brent ignores my posts.  Kept saying John was not listed in the picture and he would not correct it.   Yuz giz work hard today.  Later

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a warm and blustery Chicago where I have enjoyed catching up on a few day's posts. Great photo of the guys at York. Laz, what a beautiful, beautiful engine! After church, I spent yesterday going around to different stores with the middle boy looking at acoustic guitars. I have to figure out some chores I won't be getting to as a chance for him to earn money for one. Our pastor using the VT tragedy to review what 'love your enemies' really means. Our anniversary was yesterday too: 18 years. The bride wasn't feeling well so it was low-key. I spent a lot of time at the park with our youngest.

Tonight I want to try figuring out if I have space enough for the Korber trolley barn and extension and a Lionel transfer table (and extension). I think it's bigger than I can fit.

[Anonymous]

For all you fellas who couldn't wait to see the TCA Group Shot:

From Left to Right:
lionroar88 (Brent), dbaker48 (Don), Kent J (CTT), Neil B (CTT), Fifedog (Bruce), LAZ57 (George), Mitchelr (Mitch), MartyE (Marty), msacco, GregM (Greg), wrmcellan (Roy)

Photographer: GregM's wife... she did a wonderful job Greg and you can tell her that!  She made this motley crew look 50% respectable!

As pointed out by Lisa in another thread I had a momentary lapse of brain power, I could blame it on the computer crapping out, but it wasn't the computer's fault.

Any way the photo and caption should read:

For all you fellas who couldn't wait to see the TCA Group Shot:

From Left to Right:
lionroar88 (Brent), dbaker48 (Don), Kent J (CTT), Neil B (CTT), Fifedog (Bruce), LAZ57 (George), Mitchelr (Mitch), MartyE (Marty), msacco, jefelectric (John), GregM (Greg), wrmcellan (Roy)

Photographer: GregM's wife... she did a wonderful job Greg and you can tell her that!  She made this motley crew look 50% respectable!

[laz 57]

Mornin' boys.  Coffee please, and just keep it coming 'til I beg you to stop.  Can't get the cobwebs out.

Fortner - Yes, you have to be a TCA member to attend YORK.  You can get your application on-line....and Yes, we all had a great time, and YES, the YORK show is thriving, and YES, we'd love to have ya.

HI GIZ,

  Great day here at 59 to get to 83.

  Still trying to get in the swing after YORK, ah the memories.

JIM as FIFE stated YES come on DOWN, we'll have a blast.

Rock on.

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 50 degrees. Going up to 76 today, with a chance of afternoon thundershowers.

Today is a usual start of the week. Have a few things to do around the house. Maybe, later I will spend some time in the train room. I would like to work on the layout and run trains. It's been a few days, since I have.

Looks like everyone had a good time at York. Lots of nice pictures.

Dining Car is here and ready for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Monday.

Chuck

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Coffee please, and just keep it coming 'til I beg you to stop.  Can't get the cobwebs out.

Fortner - Yes, you have to be a TCA member to attend YORK.  You can get your application on-line....and Yes, we all had a great time, and YES, the YORK show is thriving, and YES, we'd love to have ya.

[Brutus]

Got email from my buddy in SC - his wife had a piece of colon excised last Monday, home now and doing fine.  Told him my sister and her family are moving to Charlotte NC and he said that's like a 67 mile belt and need to be more specific!  Wow - big city!  My buddy Dave has the same truck I've got, a Colorado, and needed to pick up a bunch of bricks.  Yesterday, we got figuring and actually cracked the manual - turns out the max load including passengers is like 1200 pounds - which means that 2 weeks ago I exceeded that by about 800 pounds three times in one day!  Luckily, low gear worked and the suspension seems fine, so I guess there is some wiggle room there.  I'll be more careful in the future.  Also, yesterday was April Showers for the girlscouts, so my whole family was out picking up toiletries in a local subdivision.  Today, I spent the day rerunning some romex in the basement - I had to rethink where some wires go when I went to connect to the fixtures - doubled the number of wires going through one small run - starting to look like something only MartyE could figure out!   All the wire is in place, just need to make connections and then get powered up.  I was disappointed that I didn't get to turn the lights on today, but things a getting there.  I'll have my basement layout one of these days!  Meanwhile, I've got my Copper Range Mining operation and old 50's lumber concern working the living room.  My daughter wants to get a real early start on the Halloween layout this year, so we can put up all the Dept 56 buiildings and stuff.  Sounds great to me, except then I'll have to take my current stuff out.... 

Chuck, glad to hear you are doing so well!  Laz - VERY cool engine!  Chief, great pic of the grandson!

Do you have to be a TCA member to go to York?  My wife was asking me what it was and sounding like she would be alright if I went sometime in the future....

[ChiefEagles]

Made it back from York OK, but came down with a terrible cold while there on Saturday. Since no one was home - I went straight to the local clinic and saw a doc. Got anibiotics and cough syrup (hack, hack, hack....). Hope none of the gang from York catches it from me.

It was a Yankee attack.  They will try and sneak something on you.  Best fill up with GRITS and SWEET ICE TEA.  That wards off any Yankee spell.

Good night all. 

[wrmcclellan]

Made it back from York OK, but came down with a terrible cold while there on Saturday. Since no one was home - I went straight to the local clinic and saw a doc. Got anibiotics and cough syrup (hack, hack, hack....). Hope none of the gang from York catches it from me.

Great meeting we had. We have grown from 4 to 10 in a year (plus Neil B and Kent J of CTT - thanks for joining us guys!). Not too bad. Maybe next year we will have to use the York Grandstands? Hope to make it back next Oct.

Made a push into my O pre-war this trip and succeeded based on looking at my wallet.

I have meetings all week from 8-6, so I may not be able to post much.

Have a great week all.

[ChiefEagles]

Smart kid.  You can see he is already listening to Grandpa.