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

[Brutus]

Prayers continue for your wife, Marty, sounds like everything is working out!

RT - that's great!  I used to get spam emails from some magazine that advertised INS caps you could buy for this purpose.  I would worry about getting shot though!

John Baker- I sent you an email about the slang.  If you have to explain a joke, it's not funny, so I'll just drop it.

Buckeye and Chuck#3, looks like you guys had a great time.  Wish I could tag along, but you're like 1000 miles away.

John (CSXT30) - I bet you would have liked Dirty Jobs last night on cable.  The guy was working on a railroad, replacing a few rotted ties with hand tools and stuff.  Started out watching a CSX freight in going through on another track in the background and then during the show a BNSF gave them a few toots on the horn as it passed.  Mike Roe, the Dirty Jobs guy, is pretty funny and they let him do everything.  BTW - Chewy has been missing you.  She gets up a few times during the night, goes out in the kitchen, looks around for leftovers, and then comes back moping.... 

[Blueberryhill RR]

Prayers out for your wife, Marty.  I hope she has a good, speedy recovery.

Chuck

[anjdevil2]

Marty -- prayers to you, your wife and family

RT - NICE ONE  I like it!! 

[Brutus]

This set me off looking for photos of interesting infrastructure...but I found trolleys instead (in the town where I grew up - Stamford, Connecticut...)

Neat pic, Doug!  Hey, are these games you review PC games or hex paper/ markers/ etc?

[ChiefEagles]

Hers one just for chief now if its true unknow but I really wouldn't doubt it

 

Subject: Fwd: SOUTHERN INGENUITY TRIUMPHS AGAIN!


I heard a story about a guy named, "Wallace" who is president of  his  home owner's
association in a Jackson , Mississippi suburb. They were having a terrible
problem with litter near some of his association's homes. The reason
according to Wallace is that six very large, luxurious new houses are
being built right next to their community.

The trash was coming from the Mexican laborers working at
the construction sites and included bags from McDonald's, Burger King
and 7-Eleven, plus coffee cups, napkins, cigarette butts, coke cans, empty bottles, etc.

He went to see the site supervisor a nd even the general
contractor, politely urging them to get their workers not to litter
the neighborhood, to no avail. He called the city, county, and police
and got no help there either.

So here's what his community did: They organized about twenty
folks, named themselves, The "Inner Neighborhood Services" group, and
arranged to go out at lunch time and "police" the trash  themselves.
It is what they did while picking up the trash that is so hilarious. *

They bought navy blue baseball caps and had the initials
"INS" embroidered in gold on the caps. It doesn't take a rocket
scientist to understand what they hoped people might, mistakenly,  think
the letters really stood for.

After the "Inner Neighborhood Services" group's first lunchtime
pickup detail, with all of them wearing their caps and some carrying
cameras; 46 out of the total of 68 construction workers did not  show up for
work the next morning--and ha ven't come back yet. It has been ten
days now and  the General Contractor, I read, was madder than  hell,
but couldn't say anything publicly because he could be  busted for  hiring
illegal aliens.

Wallace and his bunch can't be accused of impersonating
federal personnel, because they have the official name of the  group recorded
in their homeowner association minutes in addition to a notation about the
vote to approve formation of the new subcommittee--and  they also
informed the INS in advance of their plans. According to Wallace  the INS
basically said , "Have at it"! *

SO FOLKS, I THINK YOU COULD SAY THAT SOUTHERN INGENUITY TRIUMPHED
AGAIN!

Now if we could do this type of thing and get rid of the Yankees. 

Marty, prayers for wife's speedy recovery.

No trian work today.  Built and installed wood duck box.  Had help getting it in the shallow [dried up] part of the pond.  Frankie and one of his deputy friends were shooting clays over the pond and shooting their weapons at the range.  All the pond work is done!!!    Let it RAIN!!!

Later

[Buckeye Riveter]

Marty, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.  I have had to sit in those waiting rooms and it is not fun. 

Worked on the Mikado today and I think I have got it working.  Smoke just pours out.   Next, item is the smoke unit in the Lionel Switch Tower. 

Today, I rested up from the big tour.  Brutus, you are only 8 hrs and 31 minutes away from Wheeling, WV. 

[Wes Whitmore]

So a couple of my friends and I are going to Durango, CO next month (Oct 11-15th).  I have been looking at the Durango and Silverton Steam Loco.  I think I want to go on a round trip on one of those days.  There are a few different options available for that week.  I'm sure a bunch of people have been on this train, so what do you recommend?  I don't want to use the bus option.  It looks like I lucked out because it's the last week that some of the cars are available.

 

http://www.durangotrain.com/about/schedule.htm

 

Standard Class - Adult $65.00 - Child $35.00 (ages 5-11) Choose between vintage coach seating or open-air observation gondolas.

Grande Class Rio Grande: $89.00 per person. Adults only (must be 12 years of age & over). May - October. Includes complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and other first class amenities.

Silver Vista: $129.00 per person. Adults only (must be 16& over). May - October. Includes first class amenities.

The Victorian splendor of a bygone era awaits you onboard the Cinco Animas. Choose between two distinctively appointed seating areas: Parlor and Pullman. An oversized viewing platform is exclusively available to this car's 16 passengers. Cinco Animas (Adults 21 yrs+ only) includes all non-alcoholic beverages and other first class amenities.

Train Round Trip: $149 adults
Upgrade to our Premium Motorcoach/Train Combination at no extra charge.

Thanks for the help!

Wes

[fifedog]

Wes - since most of us only get to Durango once in a lifetime, I'd go all out and do the best package.  Just be carefull...a lot of layouts get torn up after a trip to D&S country.  Don't be tempted by On30.

Speaking of layouts, how is your's coming?  Any new video?

[dougdagrump]

Mid October, could be we tad cool in open air cars that time of year. But the Aspen should be gorgeous if they haven't been shed already.

[Brutus]

Buckeye, that's about 8 hours farther than I like to drive!

[csxt30]

Hi Everyone !! Home early tonight & no overtime. That's ok cause you'll never gues what happened tonight !! Remember Broady-the Cable Guy ? !!  I went to give these 2 trainmen a ride to make the tie & then take them to the head end after picking up a string of cars I had worked & one guy asked me if I was on the forum here !! It was Scott, Broady-the cable Guy !! Well, come to find out he was on his last run as a conductor trainee !  He was on his way back to Collinwood from Buffalo. Saturday he marks up as a full fledged conductor !! A very nice young fellow & got hired back in April of this year. Of course down the road he will have to go to engineer school, but for now he's all set up as a conductor. We all welcomed him here a couple weeks ago but he has been busy on the road. He'll be checking in though ! Boy, did we ever talk up a storm & the conductor with him is in HO !! Both of these guys will try to make the Berea train show, but they may both be working, who knows !! I told them both about the Museum in Mentor too !! Open house this Sat. Hope they make it !!

Well, I better get over to Chewy's house right now !!  Chewy : I'm coming !!  

Thanks, John 

[Brutus]

Cool story John!  Sounds like things are working out great for him and you've got a new friend at work!

Chewy says "Bark!"  I left out some Chewy treats and popcorn for you, buddy! 

My new boss ("Coach") at work is a PW Lionel Guy.  At least he has a PW Lionel set, but not sure which one it was.  He thinks he got it in the late 50's or early 60's.  I was showing him the new catalog, but he just likes the pieces he has.  He pointed at a satellite launcher and said he had that, but with just the searchlite.  I was looking around for a replacement satellite for him, but on further discussion today, it turns out Jack meant he has a searchlight car, not a satellite car with the satellite missing and only a searchlight.  I misunderstood, but still got to talk some trains at work, which was fun!

[kpolak]

My new boss ("Coach") at work is a PW Lionel Guy.  At least he has a PW Lionel set, but not sure which one it was.  He thinks he got it in the late 50's or early 60's. 

There are a few guys at church that have sets as well...but they're not sure what they have...they think it's old.    Whenever they bring it up I ask them to get them running, and the subject quickly changes.

John:  Great to hear you and Brody hooked up.  Sounds like he's moving right along in the train world.

Grandparents left yesterday; whilrwind tour.  Glad the oldest got some quality time with them.  They live across country, and we only get to visit every couple of years.  My father brought a telescoping magnet with a light on the end for picking up parts in small areas...I don't think she put that down the entire time they were here.

Marty:  Praying for you wife's speedy recovery.  Glad the operation went well.

RT:  I'm thinking that's Yankee ingenuity....Most of those Floridians are Yankee transplants.

Kurt

[rtraincollector]

My new boss ("Coach") at work is a PW Lionel Guy.  At least he has a PW Lionel set, but not sure which one it was.  He thinks he got it in the late 50's or early 60's. 

There are a few guys at church that have sets as well...but they're not sure what they have...they think it's old.    Whenever they bring it up I ask them to get them running, and the subject quickly changes.

RT:  I'm thinking that's Yankee ingenuity....Most of those Floridians are Yankee transplants.

Kurt

they bring it up again you should ask to see what they have and asked if they want to get rid of them .

Your probally right as if its near a casino town I don't care if its in Jackson Missippi most are yankee's there also for some reason, probally takes yankee know how to run them right. Southern would put bubba in charge.

 

anyway Bought moma a key wind clock the othwer night thought it got me off train restriction well I bought a 671RR last night with about 5 cars and some track it even has some A.F. S gauge track in OB not sure coondition of the boxes as no picks of that but will probally sell the S gauge track in there boxes as don't have an AF

Well I learned I wasn't off train restriction real quick, told her to late now, but okay no more trains for a while . (yeah right lol)

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cool, foggy 48 degrees. Going up to a sunny 77, today. Looks like Fall is coming. Leaves are starting to turn colors.

Today, I am busy. Need to mow the front yard and hill. I mowed the side, after supper last night. Only took 30 minutes. Niece's boyfriend is coming this afternoon to go up on the roof, and replace a piece of facia that pulled lose from the fly rafter. Good thing I saved some from the construction of the house. No time for trains today.

Dining Car is here and ready for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Thursday.

Chuck

[Wes Whitmore]

Wes - since most of us only get to Durango once in a lifetime, I'd go all out and do the best package.  Just be carefull...a lot of layouts get torn up after a trip to D&S country.  Don't be tempted by On30.

Speaking of layouts, how is your's coming?  Any new video?

I'm with you on that!  I don't mind it being cold, I'm actually looking forward to it.  I'm going by myself, so all I really need is a good view of my surroundings, which is probably best in the gondola.  I guess any of the cars will do.  I was just throwing this out there to see if anyone had a definate choice of cars over the rest.  It's going to be a great trip.

 I'm too far into O right now to go to On30.  No new videos.  I'm taking an awefully long time getting my wiring done.  I had some decisions to make before I got too far in.  When it's your first real layout, its a learning process the whole way.   I should just build and fix my mistakes as I go, but for some reason I always wait until I think I made the right decision before I do anything.  That, and the wife loaded me up with a ton of projects this summer. 

Wes

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is a cool but sunny day in SE Indiana with temps rising to the low 80s.  I went to the YMCA to do weights and some trackwork.  I also worked on math and checked Lucas' homework.  I got an e-mail from from my Norwegian soccer friend, and got some K-line standard gauge figures in the mail on an eBay purchase.  "My" soccer girls have a home game tonight, and the boys are on the road.  I hope I have an easier time getting home than last night as I-74 eastbound was closed temporarily while they were working on the new overpasss that will go to the Honda plant.  Traffic was a parking lot six miles west of town.  I turned around, went back to the nearest exit and took county roads into Greensburg.  I could glimpse the interstate from to time and it was still backed up.  Ahhhh....progress.  Just the usual fare on the dining car from "Points East" this morning.  I hope everyone (especially the soccer teams) have a good day.

Good to hear the news from Marty!  Thoughts and prayers headed your way.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[sir james I]

Morning all,

Wes- each layout you build is a learning process and each one is better

48 outside and a damp 68 in the house. going to 70s today. I want to move damaged tv out of the house but wife wants me to wait until one of the sons come over. I may have to decorate it as a christmas tree if I do that.

Still no shipping list from "L" wonder if anything is being made or will it all arrive at once.

Happy fri 13th to all. yes I know it came on thur. this month.       Sir James

[Anonymous]

Marty - glad your wife's surgery went well.  Here's hoping for a speedy recovery!

RT - That is just too funny.

Chief - You are putting a duck box in a pond that has no water where the duck box is located? I'm beginning to see why Buckeye gets so confused by you... you do some odd things... like buying another truck to tow your Ranger?  If the Ranger doesn't run, just get rid of it, why tow it around?  Of course towing a Ranger with a Chevy Silverado does kind of sound funny!

Wes - good to see you are still around.  hoping to see some videos soon.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  My right arm feels like it's about to fall off from all the painting I've been doing.

sir james - kinda threw me off there.  I actually had to check my calender.

Buckeye - still waiting on what town that Museum is located...Blueberry...?

[Anonymous]

Mornin' boys.  My right arm feels like it's about to fall off from all the painting I've been doing.

sir james - kinda threw me off there.  I actually had to check my calender.

Buckeye - still waiting on what town that Museum is located...Blueberry...?

Someone needs to pay attention...

Buckeye - Great pics.  I want to visit that Kruger Street museum.  What town is it in?

Thanks for sharing.

fifedog, it is in Wheeling, WV, just off of I-70 and just west of Cabela's.  http://www.toyandtrain.com/  You would take I-68 west, to I-79 north and then west on I-70.  Wheeling is a very interesting old river town.  

There is another museum nearby, too. http://www.marxtoymuseum.com/main.htm  It is south of Wheeling about ten miles.

If you are in the area, Olgeby Park has a huge O scale layout.  Their 18th annual model railroading show is Jan 12 and 13th.  Olgeby Park is known for its Christmas lights display.  Numerous bus tours navigate the park during late November, December and January.

Yes, there is a mall nearby.

Fife - I've been to Olgeby's Light display... could make for a nice couple's trip in early December on a Saturday...

[sparky]

Wes,

The wife and I did the Durango trip 2 years ago. You'll love it. We had the cheap seats. A round trip in them makes a LONG day. We did the bus trip up to Silverton, the train back to Durango. There is alot to see on the bus trip, great scenery . Also the drivers are very informative about the area  it's history.

What ever you do, be sure to sit in the front seat on the right side of the coach on the way up, and the left side on the trip back. There is an area where the tracks "hang" on the side on the mountain and the river is several hundred feet below. Great view!!!

Ken D

 

[fifedog]

88 -  Stay on me,B... Haven't finished my fist mug of coffee yet.  Thanks.

Buckeye - Thanks, boss.  Wheeling is definitely on my TO-DO list!

[Dr. John]

Enjoying my second cup of coffee right now. Warm and humid in Prattville this morning. Looks like the remnant of hurricane Humberto may swing our way and bring a lot of rain. That would be good - we're still in a drought, despite recent rains. Besides, we need the rain a lot more than Texas does!

Have a pre-marital counseling session with a young couple in a while, then on to Montgomery to visit some folks in the hospitals. Have a good day, everyone! 

[dbaker48]

Morning guys,

John, Glad you made it over to Chewys!  I've heard that poor dog whining all the way out here.  He sure has sounded lonely!  (Surprising how far sound travels at night, could figure out what it was at first, then realized with the time change and all it was Chewy).

Still "pushing" unsecured track around on my layout.  Decided yesterday I am redoing the plan, pretty much came up with an alternative.  It relocates a bridge crossing point, providing for more accessible walking area.  Works well on paper, going to try laying it out with the track and see how it looks.

Busy day today, heading over to Vegas for a couple of days.  So you all (spelled correctly) be good!! 

[ChiefEagles]

Enjoying my second cup of coffee right now. Warm and humid in Prattville this morning. Looks like the remnant of hurricane Humberto may swing our way and bring a lot of rain. That would be good - we're still in a drought, despite recent rains. Besides, we need the rain a lot more than Texas does!

Same here so they say.

Morning.  Will not respond to the comment about wood duck box as any normal Southern guy would know we are in a drought and water is down.  Normal pool, wood duck box will be over water.  Yankee knowledge really surprises me [or the lack there of].

Hurry and dsok garden spots that are now bare.  Sow turnips.  Promised rain should get them going.

Later. 

PS: Don, you and yuor guests have a safe and great trip.  BTW: Don't blame Jim F, who would want to drive to Ohizo.  

[Anonymous]

Morning.  Will not respond to the comment about wood duck box as any normal Southern guy would know we are in a drought and water is down.  Normal pool, wood duck box will be over water.  Yankee knowledge really surprises me [or the lack there of].

But didn't you just respond? 

Thanks for clearing that up...

[jonadel]

Wes--

We did the Durango/Silverton 3 years ago, excellent trip. On the advice of a good friend we chose to take the bus back to Durango, that was great advice. There were several on the train going to Silverton that were trying to get on the bus back but it was sold out. It is a good trip, next time be sure and save a day and go down and ride the Cumbres/Toltec, we enjoyed it even more.

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !! 

Don : Chewy should calm down a little now, I'll tell him tonight that the left coast guys can't sleep from all his whinning !!  I stole his picture from Brutis's web-site !! BTW Jim, you have some pictures there that have turned into red Xs !! 

Gees, I didn't know you could build boxes to keep the ducks in !! Must be another N&S thing  !!    

Well,hope everyone has a nice day & everyone going in trips has a safe & happy one !!

Thanks, John

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cool Crystal Lake where I am running the trolleys for a few small boys whilst their moms get together for a bible study - actually, I'm running them for me and they get to watch ;) -- Planning to go see the White Sox on Sat. It looks to be about 40 degrees that night - ouch. I began the season freezing and I'll end it the same way - LOL.

Jim F, those games I review are the old-fashioned ones - hexpaper and cardboard counters. I've been writing for this particular magazine for nearly 20 years.

Glad to hear from Marty about his bride.