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

[dwiemer]

Buckeye, congratulations on the job.  Even though you really want to move to where you know the best folks are with the best food (grits, etc.), I am glad you found something in Ohio.  It may be bad, but it's the bad that you are used to  Just kidding.   Good luck with the job. 

Chief, you are far too busy with these phone calls and interviews...don't they know you have a railroad to run?  Besides, you have that Mayor thing to take care of also.

Rich, everyone, thanks for the kind thoughts.  As for it being bad news, the service was wonderful, more of a celebration of his life.  He was but 29, but far wiser than his years.  He was strong in faith and absolutely knew where he was going.  No pain, no problems.  I think he was really happy to be going, but that was only tempered by his knowledge of his wife, family, and friends left behind.  Look forward to catching up with him when that time comes.

God Bless,

dennis

[Blueberryhill RR]

jaabat & rt - Ok, I wan't going in that direction.  But I did break a smile, but just a little one.

Blueberry - How about your boy racing CAMRYs next year...?

Fifedog..... That is hard to believe. I really don't think Tony will do it.!!!

Chuck

[Blueberryhill RR]

I want to publicly thank, Chuck, who back in early May during lunch in Cambridge, OH, I told him of my pending unemployment.  He really gave me some sound advice as we negotiated the final agreement. 

You are very welcome, Buckeye. It was a pleasure helping a good friend.

Chuck

[Blueberryhill RR]

jaabat & rt - Ok, I wan't going in that direction.  But I did break a smile, but just a little one.

Blueberry - How about your boy racing CAMRYs next year...?

Fifedog..... That is hard to believe. I really don't think Tony will do it.!!!

Chuck

Well, I stand corrected. Tony announced today that he will be driving a Toyota for 2008......

GOOD BYE , Tony !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Brutus]

Congratulations Buckeye!  And I hope something shows up soon RT.  Rained last night and a few times today - glad I didn't put the primer on last night or I'd be starting all over again.  Charles Ro sent me a Lionel catalog - man, that was nice of them!

Oh yeah, we are getting to have a lot of Jim's and upon some advice from a buddy at work I got my user name changed - this is my nickname from High School.

[Brutus]

Jim - When you talk about the bridges, we have a section here, (91 Fwy through Corona & Riverside) which is one of the primary routes east.  A private company was "awarded" the rights to a "Fasttrack Lane, they were given an exclusive for toll charges.  And a contractual guarantee from the state that no additional public lanes would be built for 80 years.  They then "adjust" the toll relative to traffic flow.  If its heavy the toll is as much as $6.75 for 4 miles, when its light then its $1.60.  If too many people use the Fasttrack, then they raise the price pushing everyone back to the public lanes.  Then when the pain level gets high enough people go back to Fastrack.  Then if too many do they raise the price again.  To make matters really bad it is the only road through the area.  Next closest one is 30 miles north and it is always blocked.  Can't win.

Man!  Talk about capitalism run Amok!  I remember a discussion of "utility" in economics, eg: A thirsty man will pay $1 for a Coke, but to sell him a 2nd Coke he will only be willing to pay say $0.50, etc...  I guess it makes sense to limit the traffic in their fastlane by economic pressure, but it just feels wrong!  Is the company a subsidiary of Big Oil???

[sir james I]

Brutus eh, well ok it's your name but jim worked for me.My user name goes back to school days also we had our secret club, a round table kind of thing. very few new members were ever added.  We kept that club all through high school.

I got the front panel back on the fuse box fit the square blocks into the square holes and it went on. now back to getting the right of way clear. and all aboard.

                       Sleep good tonite,      Sir James

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  got Soundstop down on ALL of the layout.   Also got it leveled.  Ready to put down the last half of the track in the back room.  Thne wire.  Also adding three new switches [OH NO, MTH switches].  Going to Mom's tomorrow.  Seems I had more time when I was flying.  BTW: flying the Dallas/Ft. Worth 23rd and returning the next day or day after.  Will be a marine dealer show at Texas Motor Speedway.  Buckeye WHO?????

[Dr. John]

Thanks for the sound advice on my pending truck purchase. Rich, I've had good experience w/ Enterprise sales before. The folks in Montgomery were very nice. Unfortunately, none of their vehicles have manual trannys - a feature I want. Ran into the same issue once before when looking for a jeep. Did buy my older daughter's car through them and was very pleased.

For me, Nissan is a close second to the Toy Taco. If I can't get a good deal on a Tacoma, a Frontier would do nicely. I'll just be glad to pull the trigger and close the deal.

Buckeye, Birmingham is a great place for a wedding! Much better than those other hick towns you mentioned. If you get the chance while you're there, get someone to take you to Dreamland Barbecue for some ribs. That will make your trip worthwhile!

Goodnight, all! 

[Brutus]

Brutus eh, well ok it's your name but jim worked for me.My user name goes back to school days also we had our secret club, a round table kind of thing. very few new members were ever added.  We kept that club all through high school.

I got the front panel back on the fuse box fit the square blocks into the square holes and it went on. now back to getting the right of way clear. and all aboard.

                       Sleep good tonite,      Sir James

Glad you got that last detail fixed.  I feel for you.  Had a big mess after a storm and contractors were working on the house for about a month - about 1.5 years ago now.

First day of HS some kids were making fun of another boy and calling him Popeye.  I said something like hey, it's the first day and a new school, why not just let all that gradeschool stuff go and start over, huh?  So, they said shut up Brutus and it stuck.  Guess I resembled him a good bit a few years ago with the beard and hair, but now it's mostly beard and stubble on the head   Call me Jim or Jim F or Brutus or anything, I'll answer!

Dr. John, good luck on the Tacoma, let us know how you like it.

Chex Mix, Popcorn, Icecream, but no more brownies!  I think Doug M finished them off!

[ChiefEagles]

Brutus!!!!!??????  Oh well.  I guess its a Yankee thing.   [don't tell him it sounds like a dog's name]  LAZ, forgot to tell you.  Last night at around 10:30, when I got home from Town Board, there were 16 sets of eyes over my back fence in the soybean field.  14 were a mixture of tall and short and in one group.  Two more were tall and off to their own.  Deer are completely eating up my corn I put out at the pond area each night.  Got salt block too.  As all the streams are dry around here now, the pond is their source of water so they are seen constantly coming and going there.

Goooooood night all.

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Hello all,

I am at work and this is the last night shift then off for vacation, looking forward to the trip.  The guys are all out busy with testing and monitoring and I'm taking a quick break.  

Buckeye-congrats on the job.

Chuck-you may want to share your words of wisdom with RT and others who are in a negotation for salary.

Chief-The deer are really plentiful where I work.  It is a large reservation with no hunting and hardwoods surrounded with crop land.  It is not uncommon to see 20 deer driving around the plant parimeter.

Thinking about a display of some of my AF accesories; a section of track and the accesories with activation buttons mounted on a board.  I don't have room on the layout and I want to see the items operate.  It may be neat for the train show we have in the fall.  Aquiring materials and thinking.  If I act on it I'll post pics.

Real dry here still.  At least don't have to cut much grass.  I'll do our yard and my neighbor's but the large yard I do for another friend is brown and not growing.  Good in a way bad in a way.

Our local community is upset and in essence in mourning for a 12 year old boy who was a real great kid who had a  four wheeler accident and fliped it.  Crushed his brain stem.  Still alive, but no brain activity.  Please keep him and the loved ones in your prayers.

May God bless

Jim

[csxt30]

Brutus eh, well ok it's your name but jim worked for me.My user name goes back to school days also we had our secret club, a round table kind of thing. very few new members were ever added.  We kept that club all through high school.

I got the front panel back on the fuse box fit the square blocks into the square holes and it went on. now back to getting the right of way clear. and all aboard.

                       Sleep good tonite,      Sir James

Glad you got that last detail fixed.  I feel for you.  Had a big mess after a storm and contractors were working on the house for about a month - about 1.5 years ago now.

First day of HS some kids were making fun of another boy and calling him Popeye.  I said something like hey, it's the first day and a new school, why not just let all that gradeschool stuff go and start over, huh?  So, they said shut up Brutus and it stuck.  Guess I resembled him a good bit a few years ago with the beard and hair, but now it's mostly beard and stubble on the head   Call me Jim or Jim F or Brutus or anything, I'll answer!

Dr. John, good luck on the Tacoma, let us know how you like it.

Chex Mix, Popcorn, Icecream, but no more brownies!  I think Doug M finished them off!

BRUTUS ?  What will Chewy think ? !!  AND NO BROWNIES ? !! 

Good night all !!

Thanks, John

[csxt30]

Oh !! Hi Jim !!  I see you posted about same time as me !!  I just got home, so have a good rest of your night at work !!

Thanks, John  

[Jumijo]

Good morning from New England.

Brutus, I mean Jim, please tell us how you were able to change your name and keep your post count intact. I might want to change my name as well.

Hey Laz, how is the layout coming along? You haven't provided an update for a while now.

Off tomorrow to have some work done on the old (and beloved) Chevy. A lifter has become loud all of a sudden. 149,000+ miles on her and I want to keep her until she reaches 200,000. The Chevy, not my wife.

I finally broke down and watered the lawn last night. It's turned a lovely tan color.  

Time for tea and crumpets.

Am I the only one who didn't find the parrot in that photo? 

Jim 

[laz 57]

Brutus!!!!!??????  Oh well.  I guess its a Yankee thing.   [don't tell him it sounds like a dog's name]  LAZ, forgot to tell you.  Last night at around 10:30, when I got home from Town Board, there were 16 sets of eyes over my back fence in the soybean field.  14 were a mixture of tall and short and in one group.  Two more were tall and off to their own.  Deer are completely eating up my corn I put out at the pond area each night.  Got salt block too.  As all the streams are dry around here now, the pond is their source of water so they are seen constantly coming and going there.

Goooooood night all.

 

 

CHIEF,  When is hunting season?  Might even try to eat GRITS?

Thanks for the heads up CHIEF.

laz57 

[laz 57]

Good morning from New England.

Brutus, I mean Jim, please tell us how you were able to change your name and keep your post count intact. I might want to change my name as well.

Hey Laz, how is the layout coming along? You haven't provided an update for a while now.

Off tomorrow to have some work done on the old (and beloved) Chevy. A lifter has become loud all of a sudden. 149,000+ miles on her and I want to keep her until she reaches 200,000. The Chevy, not my wife.

I finally broke down and watered the lawn last night. It's turned a lovely tan color.  

Time for tea and crumpets.

Am I the only one who didn't find the parrot in that photo? 

Jim 

 

JIM, We are done with all the bench work, track and wiring.  We have a gun show on Saturday and I plan to take camera and then post layout on Sunday.

Later.

HAPPY FRIDAY EVE.

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 64 degrees. Going up to 93 today, with sunshine.

Today is a busy day.  I have to drop off the dog at the groomer's at 10 am. He needs a bath and haircut. Then, at Noon, I will get a haircut. Then, it will be time to pick up the dog. This afternoon, I will take it easy. I guess this is " haircut " day.

Indians are still holding First place in their division. Looks like they may be in the playoffs.

I watched the program " Dale " last night. It was very good. Showed all the old Nascar races and even the last one at Daytona, which was his last.

No time for trains today. I will take some time this weekend to do some train running.

Well, Dining Car is here. Looks like the usual menu. Breakfast is served.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is cloudy in SE Indiana with a chance of rain today.  Somehow that is ironic as it has been dry all summer and now when they are having a big outdoor event for the Colts first game of the season, it may rain.  Go figure.  Last night was bitterly disappointing as the boys' team got thumped 6-1.  Maybe it would not be so bad if I could see some effort, but they phoned that one in.  I have been involved directly or indirectly in working with some of these kids over the past 12 years and it really hurts to think I may have been wasting my time.  They have a road game tonight against a team they beat earlier in the season by a large margin.  If they barely win (or worse, lose), I will wonder if the season can be salvaged.  The girls play at home in a winnable game, but I wonder about that as well. 

Congrats to Buckeye on the new job and good luck to RT in his search.  I have been in your shoes, and it is no fun. 

 Just the usual fare on the dining car this morning with an extra helping of toast.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' Fortner.

Blueberry - Can't imagine what Earnhardt would think of the Jr/Theresa squabble...

[dwiemer]

Morning all,

Chief, my aunt had a shephard named "Brutus".  No offense ment to Jim, just reacting to Chief's comment.

I read on the Marx web group about Ameritrains stopping production:

 

Dear Valued Customer,

We regret to inform you that we are not accepting any new orders at
this time. Due to serious problems we are ceasing production until
further notice. We will notify you when we are up and running again.
There is no way to estimate when that will be. We apologize for the
inconvenience and thank you for your business.

Regards,

Ameritrains USA

Anyway, it is sad to see another manufacturer go out of business, at least that is what this appears to be happening.

Hope all needs are met.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Off to Mom's down east.  Hope to get back and get some wiring down in back room.  Jimbo, lifter noise is not good.  Guess you will want to borrow one of our police cars while yours is in the shop.  Town Manager used Chief's unmarked car for 4 days while his personal car was in the shop.  Thought he had that right.   Had to have a meeting with him when I found it out.   I hear someone in Ohizo wan a Garman GPS.  Hope he can now find his way to work and back home again.  CSX employees are like that.   LAZ, I think bow season comes in any day now, black powder about the first week in Oct. and regular gun season around the 13th of Oct thru Jan 1.  Limit is 2 bucks, 2 hunter's choice and 2 does.

Later

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning from Buckeyeland, where it is 70 degrees and a clear blue sky.  Later it will be in the mid 90's, but that is just getting me prepared for my trip to Alabama. 

Speaking of trips, TOTTSGEOTST is coming up fast.  I better get packing for the trip.  Any recomendations of where to stop and shop? 

[Buckeye Riveter]

 Guess you will want to borrow one of our police cars while yours is in the shop.  Town Manager used Chief's unmarked car for 4 days while his personal car was in the shop. 

What's this?  Corruption in Roseyville!! Chief, your town manager, should be suspended for four days without pay and then pay the town the cost of a rental car.  You of course will be looking for a new town manager, but since Jimmy A is moving to Roseyville, that problem is solved.

 

[Jumijo]

Buckeye, funny you should say that! The Chief offered me the job of Town Manager only yesterday. It only pays $70K a year, but I'm sure in Roseyville, I can make do. Picture Sherrif Rosco and old Boss Hogg!

[Buckeye Riveter]

Buckeye, funny you should say that! The Chief offered me the job of Town Manager only yesterday. It only pays $70K a year, but I'm sure in Roseyville, I can make do. Picture Sherrif Rosco and old Boss Hogg!

Since you can buy a eight bedroom, four bath, four car garage on a 50 acre estate for only $22K in Roseyville, I'm sure you will be better off.   Of course, I do have a concern for your children and their teeth. 

[Anonymous]

jaabat,

          I wouldn't be worried about lifter noise.  It isn't harmful, just annoying.  Probe GTs also occasionally suffer from it, but it can be fixed.  You can go in and replace the lifter, or take the easy way.  Drain the oil and replace the filter, then put new oil in.  Leave 1 quart out for now.  In place of the quart you left out, dump in a quart of ATF.  Let the engine idle for 10-20 minutes, then change the oil and filter again.  This time, put the full amount of oil in that your owners manual specifies and omit the ATF.  I know this sounds strange, but everyone says it works.  By the way, I replaced the bad shell on the 2343, looks much better.

[dbaker48]

Morning all !

Another day, more repairs!  Took the El Camino in for brakes, could hear the left front sensor just a little, then a horendous squeak from the right rear.  Come to find out the axle seal was leaking, and grease saturated the shoe.  It doesn't stop there. Ended up having to replace rear axle, brake shoes, axle bearings, left front caliper, pads, etc., etc., etc.,.  Maybe should have gotton rid of it?

Chief, simple suggestion, have Brutus come down, Im sure he can take care of the town manager, or at least the thought of importing him will straighten everyone out.

Spent a little time in the train room, LOTS of adjustments and tweaking to do.  Beleive me I'm fighting for every 1/4".  Good news is even the scale Cab Forward runs well on the track plan.  Soundboard really works well!!!  Very satisfied.  

RT - Dont give up, something will turn up when you least expect it!  I too have been there, more than once!

Buckeye - Congradulations on the new position!

Chuck - No surprise with Tony, he will go where the money is.  It certainly will be interesting to see what happens with DEI, Teresa has certainly fallen out of favor with everyone.  Can't believe it is anything like Dale Sr intended!

Got lots of work to do today, so hope everyone has a great day! 

[anjdevil2]

Buckeye -- Congas on the job...!

AND FOR ALL YOU TONY STEWART FANS>>>>>

You know he drives a Mopar Sprinter....Hey Mr Evernham (a Jersey boy!), sounds like Tony

may be available...!!

[sir james I]

GOOD MORNING ALL,

I saw this mornings news that VW offices are leaving Mi., another 1000 jobs gone. I may be the one that has to turn out the lite when I leave. I don't plan to leave but I may be the last one.

Brutus/jim- Popeye did come to mind when I read your post yesterday and olive oyl.

Jef/john-I learned real fast what lightning can do to house wires,open circuits in the walls, wire nuts loose in junction boxes,the alarm repairman found the same thing when he got here, plus some of those little window switches stuck closed. I wouldn't say welded but they would not open. We have a fireplace that runs the length of the side wall and we were sitting in that room less than five feet from where the strike hit outside that wall. I'm thinking my/ our time is not up yet. I'm sure those bricks could have blown all over that room.

Deer season- Mi. hunters are allowed one. has to be tagged and doe permits are given by lottery.

 Me thinks I talked to much this AM,     Later.........Sir James