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

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Posted by mitchelr on Monday, January 22, 2007 10:03 PM

Thanks for the birthday wishes folks.  Not an exciting, milestone birthday, turned 53 yesterday.  I did get this nice lamp.

I will be away from the forum for a few days.  We are going to Vegas and then to ride the Grand Canyon Railway.  There will probably be over 100 or more new posts by the time I get back to the forum and it will take me forever to get caught up on the activities here in the Coffee Pot.

Take care,

Mitch 

Bob Mitchell Gettysburg, PA TCA # 98-47956 LCCA# RM22839

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Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 12:23 AM
 Sturgeon-Phish wrote:

What about window tint for the poolside train room?  They have came a long way with protective films, and not obsceure view of the pool.  Between tint and shades, you may be able to protect your layout.

Later

Jim

Actually, the sunlight won't be a problem.  The room is actually an almond color, and more importantly the majority of the layout will be in the middle to the back side of the room.  The elevated section of course is above the windows.  Now the house faces north, so we get the morning sun coming in, (train room not exposed.)  And on our west side the neighbor has Cypress tress that are between 20 and 25 feet high, they form a literal hedge, (terrible for the pool).   By 3:00 that part of the yard is completely shaded, as is the pool.  So with the mini blinds, don't think there will be an issue.  My biggest concern is getting it all built.

Regarding the scenery, eventually will have something behind the upper portion, be it landscape, or buildings, not sure yet.  A local restaurant has an elevated track and uses various national monuments as a backdrop, Rushmore, St. Louis and Arch, Golden Gate, NY and Manhattan skyline, etc.. 

The other issue will be sound dampening.  That's where I'm really concerned about Doug Murphy's Laws,  I'm sure that there must be a postulate or theorm there abouts, that say something to the affect of a moving vehicle circulating around in an aluminum encased enclosure, and the subsequent amplification of sound.  Who knows the blinds may act as a synthesier causing a reverberating clickity clickity clack clack sound.  Which could could be subsequently resonated through the double pane windows creating harmonic swells in the pool, which could generate an inverted seismic wave, that could flood the house.  LOL  (Actually, a few years ago an earthquake did cause water "sloushing" out of the pool, no damage but did make for conversation.  The bigger concern regarding the pool is encroaching roots from the Cypress trees.) 

The picture below is the "current" layout I have planned.  The elevated section is in light blue, only visible from the right side.  The bench top (green) will be about 39".

 

Don

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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:14 AM

Good morning, everyone!

A light dusting of snow greeted me this morning as I drove out of the garage and waved goodbye to my daughter.

Ran a mess of trains last night. Steamer freights and passenger trains!!! And just as I was shutting everything down the phone rang. It was John S. calling from Ohio. Seems that someone using my name sent him a Corgi Batmobile??? I don't know a thing about it, John, but enjoy that Batmobile! I like it parked at the fast food joints!! It was great to talk with John. What a genuine good guy. Too bad his schedule doesn't allow him to post more frequently. John, stay off those naughty internet sites, you dirty bird!!  Wink [;)]

Holy underwear, Batman! It's time for breakfast!! Have a great day, everyone.

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:15 AM

HI GIZ,

   28 and not to bad to get to 37 today.

RTRAINCOLLECTO, I'll have to check out that listing tonite, here at school they won't let me see pics.

 MITCH, nice lamp, maybe next year they get you the big LEG LAMP, "Its a major award", for your bday.  Then you can place it in the front window.Wink [;)]

Have agood one.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by Roger Bielen on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:31 AM

Chief, I've found a good way to keep switch control wires sorted is to use multi-wire lawn sprinkler cable.  Another, but it is solid core wire is thermostat wire.

Roger B.
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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 6:40 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cool 29 degrees. Misty snow fall. Going up to 36 today with some snow flurries. Still about 3 inches on the ground.

Today, I have to run some errands. Going into town to stop at a few stores. Wife is taking her little dog to the groomer. Later, will run some trains and work on the next step of the expansion area.

I heard that some guy was cruising around, up North, in a Batmobile, honking at all the " fast food places ". Wonder if he is hungry ??

Well, time for the Dining Car. Breakfast is served. Later.

Y'all have a great Tuesday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by cheapclassics on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:02 AM

Good morning all,

It is cloudy and cold in SE Indiana with temps in the 30s.  As my son would say, "SS..DD" at least as far as the weather is concerned.  I got up a little bit early and logged onto the Lionel website to look at the new catalogs.  Some interesting items are there.  There is a new Alaska set, and a new tinplate O set.  The K-line book is an odd mix of some low priced Lionel and the old Marx/Kusan/K-line material.  There is the old Lionel 520 with lights, and the updated Marx 333/K-line Pacific (which is a nice engine), and a lot of the old K-line accessories as well.  It will be intriguing to see how all this is received.  There is over 250 pages of material in the two books combined.  I went to the Y, got the trash together and ran the 318E last night.  I see where I am late for breakfast again.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:42 AM
 Roger Bielen wrote:

Chief, I've found a good way to keep switch control wires sorted is to use multi-wire lawn sprinkler cable.  Another, but it is solid core wire is thermostat wire.

Roger, using colored door bell wire.  Not the wiring but the switch is the problem.

Morning all.  Got to get ready to go see my Dermatologist.  This affair is getting sticky. Wink [;)]  I fed her one Lionel catalog for her kid and it is return and return.  I think it is my money [good health ins. Shock [:O]].  Chat later.  

 God bless TCA 05-58541   Benefactor Member of the NRA,  Member of the American Legion,   Retired Boss Hog of Roseyville Laugh,   KC&D QualifiedCowboy       

              

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:45 AM
30 degrees this morning when I fired up the bimmer for the trek into work...

Car doesn't like cold mornings... I think it is a female car... complains alot...

Forgot the flashcards this morning, so no pics of the 0-8-0 and Berk Upgrade. Disapprove [V]

Wife is going to be rather irrate when she sees the $10,000 wish list from the Lionel 2007 Vol 1 Catalog! Cool [8D]  They are making 2 F-19s this year and I would really like both of them and the passenger cars to go along with The George.  Also the B&O E7 AA Set and the B&O Diesel set... and the B&O Heavyweights to go behind the E7s... loads of rolling stock too!

Well I better get some work done... may have to stop at the LHS today and see about a job! Approve [^]
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:46 AM
 ChiefEagles wrote:
 Roger Bielen wrote:

Chief, I've found a good way to keep switch control wires sorted is to use multi-wire lawn sprinkler cable.  Another, but it is solid core wire is thermostat wire.

Roger, using colored door bell wire.  Not the wiring but the switch is the problem.

Morning all.  Got to get ready to go see my Dermatologist.  This affair is getting sticky. Wink [;)]  I fed her one Lionel catalog for her kid and it is return and return.  I think it is my money [good health ins. Shock [:O]].  Chat later.  



Chief it's your PostWar Magnatracktion she is after!  Better be careful!  Smile,Wink, & Grin [swg]

Good luck... don't scratch that itch!
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Posted by fifedog on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 7:49 AM

HOLY HAMBURGLAR, BATMAN!  THE JOKER HAS RAISED THE SIDEWALKS IN TOWN!  Actually, there were two cars every kid wanted in my youth, the batmobile and the mach 5.  I have the latter in 1:18 scale.

dbaker48 - forgot you were in earthquake country.  Maybe you could install some shocks and struts for a one-of-a-kind benchwork article...

Oh, "mornin' boys."

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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:09 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:
. . . Wife is going to be rather irrate when she sees the $10,000 wish list from the Lionel 2007 Vol 1 Catalog! Cool [8D]   . . . Approve [^]

Ditto that here, Brent. I could go broke buying everything I want to from these catalogs!

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by cnw1995 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:39 AM
Good morning from a windy and chilly Chicago where I have yet to get into the Lionel website to see the new stuff. Hopefully there are more electrics - I want to see the boxcab Jim A referenced. I pulled more wires from Mt. Seaman last eve. Then reinstalled the beacon light as the sole accessory hooked up to this Bachman HO trainset transformer. It's too bright. I hooked it up to the accessory connections and I'm not sure what's coming out of that. Maybe I'll try the other connections and dial it down. Must've done something wrong.

Ran the Birneys and trolleys and 520 too. Nothing on the main line though. Added more trees to the Apitz Forest. Tried a new layout for Eagles Ridge too. Put the new CTT in the shoulderbag to read on the long ride home late tonight.

Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.

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Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:48 AM
Morning guys, took off today - still feeling down and back hurts bad too (too much sitting around?  When it gets really bad I get pain in the legs, which is a bad sign I know).  Playing with RR Track software some more.  Fifedog, I've got a Mach 5, but it's about HO scale (matchbox car size) - came with one of the dvd sets.  Also the Chariot from Lost in Space.  Time to check out the Lionel website!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:55 AM
 Jim Fortner wrote:
Morning guys, took off today - still feeling down and back hurts bad too (too much sitting around?  When it gets really bad I get pain in the legs, which is a bad sign I know).  Playing with RR Track software some more.  Fifedog, I've got a Mach 5, but it's about HO scale (matchbox car size) - came with one of the dvd sets.  Also the Chariot from Lost in Space.  Time to check out the Lionel website!


Goodness it is what 3 days now?  Hope you feel better soon, but if you aren't feeling better this afternoon you may want to call the Doc... sounds like you may have a bad case of food poisoning!
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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:00 AM

Brent,
I think Jim F. is just milking it! He's squeezing those big pink utters as we speak! Laugh [(-D]

I'll take chocolate, Jim!!! 

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:02 AM

DOUG, read the article about the guy that uses lizard liter for balast.  I am going to pick up some of that stuff next time I go to pet shop then spread it out and lightly spray paint lite grey.  Guy said that it is ground up walnut shells and works great accepts paint good. Was gonna use kitty liter but this sounds better.

I'll let you know what happens.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:28 AM

Good Morning all,

  Cloudy with light snow this AM. 

Don:  Now I see ... Two layouts in the same room.  Do I understand that you're going to mount the LGB on an aluminum shelf structure?  You should find a marked noise reduction that way as opposed to running on wood shelving.  My 8' steel and aluminum bridge is the quietest portion of the layout.

You guys need a vintage TV to watch all those old TV shows on.  I recently tried fixing an old B&W Philco Predicta but gave up on saving it with original workings since the chassis was too badly corroded.  Luckily I was able to retrofit it with a new 20" LCD unit, giving me all the modern conveniences for about the same price as repairing the original.   I'd love to find more Predictas with unsaveable workings at reasonable prices and see if there's a market for ones with modern upgrades.  The problem is high shipping costs and availability.  I need to find them here in Canada for it to be economical.

Have a great day all.

Bruce Webster

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Posted by Wes Whitmore on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 9:48 AM
I have seen some vintage TVs converted into fishtanks too...
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Posted by jefelectric on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:00 AM

Good morning,

Baby sitting the three granddaughters this morning.  Didn't get a chance to catch up on the posts as the 3 month old is starting to get fussy and needs her midmornig fix of formula.\

 Be back later.

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by dbaker48 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:08 AM
 brwebster wrote:

Good Morning all,

  Cloudy with light snow this AM. 

Don:  Now I see ... Two layouts in the same room.  Do I understand that you're going to mount the LGB on an aluminum shelf structure?  You should find a marked noise reduction that way as opposed to running on wood shelving.  My 8' steel and aluminum bridge is the quietest portion of the layout.

Bruce Webster

Bruce, The elevated portion is also out of wood.  15" wide 3/4 ply.  There WILL be a sound issue to contend with, probably see about dampening with some carpet padding I have, or corkbead.  That paragraph was a cheap attempt of humor on my part.

Thanks for the interst.

 

Don

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Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:09 AM

Jim A - no chocolate or strawberry, but for you, I've got a big mug of raspberry Wink [;)]  I'll be back at work tomorrow, never fear!  At work, we are under a sort of production standard - different types of cases are worth so many man-hours.  I learned long ago that it doesn't pay to go in when I'm not feeling at least 90 percent (if not 100), because they don't make allowances for how you are feeling.  A day without hitting (my personal) goals (which are higher than the minimums) will wreck my average for a long time.  I was eating okay last night and no other signs or symptoms, so I think it was just a mild case - bad seafood or something.  I was the only one in the party who ate the crawdads, so I guess that was it.  That teaches me to try new things.  I tried sushi once and that night on the news they had a story about bad sushi giving some people liver flukes!  Tasted like the juice from a can of tuna to me anyway - yuck!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by thor on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:12 AM
 jaabat wrote:

 Insert diving board sound here!!!

Jim 

CUTE!  ROTFLMAO!  Good one Jim! 

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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:31 AM
 Jim Fortner wrote:

Jim A - no chocolate or strawberry, but for you, I've got a big mug of raspberry Wink [;)]  I'll be back at work tomorrow, never fear!  At work, we are under a sort of production standard - different types of cases are worth so many man-hours.  I learned long ago that it doesn't pay to go in when I'm not feeling at least 90 percent (if not 100), because they don't make allowances for how you are feeling.  A day without hitting (my personal) goals (which are higher than the minimums) will wreck my average for a long time.  I was eating okay last night and no other signs or symptoms, so I think it was just a mild case - bad seafood or something.  I was the only one in the party who ate the crawdads, so I guess that was it.  That teaches me to try new things.  I tried sushi once and that night on the news they had a story about bad sushi giving some people liver flukes!  Tasted like the juice from a can of tuna to me anyway - yuck!

Jimbo - you do know I was only joking, right? Glad you're feeling better. Thumbs Up [tup] Crawdads? Did you eat at the Clampett residence?!  Dinner [dinner]

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by 1688torpedo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:32 AM
 Hello All!     Jim F- You ate Crawdads.?Dead [xx(] No wonder you were under the weather. You need some New England Beef Stew to forget about what happenedWink [;)] I thought Crawdads were something that the Orkin Man exterminatesWink [;)]Clown [:o)] Just saw the New Lionel Catalog & the Tinplate Passenger Set offered for this year. Looks like another winner & they are coming back out with plenty of Reproduction American Flyer Accessories that look fantastic & very tempting to buy also. I see that they also have some railroad snowthrowers listed in the catolog as well which will come in handy in case the Chief sends some snow our way.Wink [;)]Smile [:)]Cool [8D] Take Care all.
Keith Woodworth........Seat Belts save lives,Please drive safely.
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Posted by Jumijo on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:37 AM

 1688torpedo wrote:
 Hello All!     Jim F-  . . . I thought Crawdads were something that the Orkin Man exterminatesWink [;)]Clown [:o)]  . . .

HA-HA!!!! Laugh [(-D]Tongue [:P]

Now that was funny!

Jim 

Modeling the Baltimore waterfront in HO scale

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:58 AM
 laz 57 wrote:

DOUG, read the article about the guy that uses lizard liter for balast.  I am going to pick up some of that stuff next time I go to pet shop then spread it out and lightly spray paint lite grey.  Guy said that it is ground up walnut shells and works great accepts paint good. Was gonna use kitty liter but this sounds better.

I'll let you know what happens.

laz57

 

Laz,
Kitty Litter contains Bentonite, an absorbent clay.  If you use it to balast your track you are going to have problems because the bentonite will suck up the water/glue and you won't get good adheasion.  You may also end up with clumping, which wouldn't look very good either.  Also, if you have cats... well let's just say you may end up with logs where you don't really want them!

Brent

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Posted by laz 57 on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:00 AM
 lionroar88 wrote:
 laz 57 wrote:

DOUG, read the article about the guy that uses lizard liter for balast.  I am going to pick up some of that stuff next time I go to pet shop then spread it out and lightly spray paint lite grey.  Guy said that it is ground up walnut shells and works great accepts paint good. Was gonna use kitty liter but this sounds better.

I'll let you know what happens.

laz57

 

Laz,
Kitty Litter contains Bentonite, an absorbent clay.  If you use it to balast your track you are going to have problems because the bentonite will suck up the water/glue and you won't get good adheasion.  You may also end up with clumping, which wouldn't look very good either.  Also, if you have cats... well let's just say you may end up with logs where you don't really want them!

Brent

LOL on the LOGS.

Thanks.

laz57

  There's a race of men that don't fit in, A race that can't stay still; Robert Service. TCA 03-55991
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Posted by Brutus on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:01 AM

Jim A - Ja, me too!  Smile [:)]  Keith - I think you are right!  Never know what they are serving in a buffet like that anyway!

Logs on the track!  Call in the derrick car!  Hey, I love the idea of the Lionel Lincoln Log train stuff - I built houses and stuff out of Lincoln Logs for my dad's old Lionel set on the carpet when I was a kid.

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 23, 2007 11:04 AM
 Jim Fortner wrote:

I was the only one in the party who ate the crawdads, so I guess that was it.  That teaches me to try new things.  I tried sushi once and that night on the news they had a story about bad sushi giving some people liver flukes!  Tasted like the juice from a can of tuna to me anyway - yuck!

I'm beginning to wonder about you! Wink [;)]

Crawdads?  Those things we used to catch in the creeks along with salamanders?  Ewwww!  Smile [:)]

I'm not even going to ask why you drank tuna water... I give that to my wife's cats... they go nuts over that stuff!  LOL!

Glad you're feeling better! Thumbs Up [tup]

I think I'm going to make some filet, baked corn, and garlic mashed taters tonight... gotta butter up the misses in hopes of talking her out of some money for trains! Big Smile [:D]

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