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

[Jumijo]

Morning, all!

Heavy clouds this AM in Prattville. No rain yet, but we're hopeful.

I found the Lemax Pharmacy I wanted at Michael's yesterday! They were out the previous week but had four of them when I returned. I've noticed their inventory is much better than previous years. Last year, it seemed (to me) they only received one shipment of their Christmas Lemax buildings and when they were gone you were out of luck. Anyone else notice this with Michael's? 

Hoping Mom gets out of physical rehab center and back to her home sometime this coming week. Dad's not used to an empty house. She seems to be making very good progress.

Have a good Wednesday, all! 

I gotta get to Michaels and check out these buildings!

Hey, mister damaged post war tender boy. Why not just go to the Lemax web site and look at the Lemax buildings. That's what I'm going to do right about....now. 

[fifedog]

88 - Greenbow,Alabama.  "...we were like peas and carrots, again."

Dr. John - Congats on the real estate acquisition.  If worse came to worse, I was gonna buy and send one to you.  I live between 2 Michael's.  The store to my west carried the pharmacy, and the store to the east carried the barber shop. Go figure...

[Anonymous]

Morning, all!

Heavy clouds this AM in Prattville. No rain yet, but we're hopeful.

I found the Lemax Pharmacy I wanted at Michael's yesterday! They were out the previous week but had four of them when I returned. I've noticed their inventory is much better than previous years. Last year, it seemed (to me) they only received one shipment of their Christmas Lemax buildings and when they were gone you were out of luck. Anyone else notice this with Michael's? 

Hoping Mom gets out of physical rehab center and back to her home sometime this coming week. Dad's not used to an empty house. She seems to be making very good progress.

Have a good Wednesday, all! 

I gotta get to Michaels and check out these buildings!

Hey, mister damaged post war tender boy. Why not just go to the Lemax web site and look at the Lemax buildings. That's what I'm going to do right about....now. 

Actually I went to Michael's website ... I keep forgetting about the tender when I get home... guess I need to call the house and leave myself a message... I hate having to do that!

[Anonymous]

88 - Greenbow,Alabama.  "...we were like peas and carrots, again."

Thanks Fife!

[dbaker48]

  BTW, Don B, is there a PDF downloadable version of that mask...?

Fife, I didn't see a pdf file, just jpg.  I did a google on beaver, and it finally came up.  Save yourself a lot of "trouble" do a search on "beaver mask"  it will be on the first page. 

[sir james I]

GOOD MORNING ALL,,,,,,,Chief I've had problems with the forum too. Two nites ago I was roaming around the forum and threads were disappearing I would go back to something and it would be gone. Next time there, then gone again. I thought Lisa had made a post but when I looked again it was from someone else."crazy man".

It's overcast but warm this AM, a few showers south of us but not here. My wife is at the x-ray store as her new Dr. is sending her for everything. I told her before she went to this guy just tell him the important things or he  will be sending you all over the place.And he is.

Wife is back wants to go out for breakfast be back later. Run some trains while I'm gone. Sir James

[Wes Whitmore]

Dr John,

I just stopped by the Michael's site.  Those Lemax buildings are very colorful and detailed!  I think it is you who has talked about going to Michael's before.  Are you getting these just for a holiday layout, or do you use them for your perminant one?  I like them, but aren't the porcelin? For someone who doesn't do much painting, they are perfect.

Wes

[fifedog]

88 -

dbaker48 -

[Wes Whitmore]

Fifedog, same question to you as Dr. John!

Wes

[fifedog]

Wes - The LEMAX buildings (at least the pharmacy and barber shops) aren't as "cutesie",glossy, or oversized like the Dept 56 offerings.  They have a kinda matte finish that doesn't stick out.  They have nice added details, and would fit on any main street (well maybe not NYC...)

[Jumijo]

So I'm driving to work this morning, and the new car starts talking to me! It was Onstar telling me all about the features they provide. Freaked me right out! Onstar has a sexy voice!

[cnw1995]

G'morning from a now-sunny and warming Chicago where it is supposed to be another beautiful day. I have a nice change of pace tonight. The bride is driving all the way into the city tonight to join me and a host of strangers for dinner to celebrate my college roomate's anniversary at a nice place in Chicago's 'Little Italy.' Haven't seen him in years but I sure like a free meal.

'Transylvania trolley' - I like it!

I have a few of the Lemax buildings. I usually weather them and turn them around so their backs face the tracks.

[Wes Whitmore]

I would agree with that statement about the Lemax buildings.  They look much better than the buildings we have for our winter scene.  Can you only get this at this time of year?

[cnw1995]

Here in my stretch of Illinois, Lemax and its knock-offs magically appear everywhere (grocery stores, craft stores, hardware stores, etc). only during this time of year.

[RRCharlie]

I think Jax may be able to dry out some today. Heavy rains off and on since Sunday afternoon. Streets and interstates closed in various parts of the city. Church and night classes have kept me busy and not having much to post.

Been picking up and throwing out stuff in the train room! Got level 3 mostly cleared off and running trains to see what still works. Had some trouble with the Rotary Coal Tipple last night. Will do a separate post on what happened and what it took to get it fixed.

Mel Hazen; Jax, FL

[Jumijo]

Back from my lunch time walkabout. Overcast and mild here. I still managed to work up a sweat climbing the hilly streets.

The Lemax stuff is allready out here as well, but hey, the local Walmart had Christmas decorations for sale at the end of August.

Someone here posted ealier about redoing a part of their layout. I'm also giving thought to doing that. Maybe it's time to add a few sidings and some industries. The AmeriTowne kits are very nice... 

[dbaker48]

I'm having way too much fun.

As I'm working on the track on my layout, getting it adjusted so everything fits, and their is adequate clearance.  I've been testing with various engines, and a couple of long cars.  The engines I have sitting on the track are:

Lionel Scale Cab Forward, (requires the greatest amount of clearance on turns)

MTH, RK Big Boy

MTH, N&W J series, (has the lowest clearance requirement, great for check height issues)

2 MTH, AC4400 Diesels

MTH, Mikado

MTH, 0-6-0 Switcher

So, I have three corners resolved. Then I start up the Cab Fwd, and with the DCS I used the "ALL" command, and started all the MTH engines.  It sounded like a Nascar race with all the engines sitting there idleing.  Then turned the Bell command on, Whoa was that interesting!  Next, the Whistle, all the whistles were going off together!!!  Truly interesting.

I couldn't resist then I started them all to move!  What a sight!!!  (Remember, only 3 of the 4 corners adjusted and secured!)  Thank  gosh for the "All Stop" command.  

This was just way too much fun for one person, really awesome!!! Just had to share!!!

 

 

[Jumijo]

Being a conventional only operator, I cannot imagine how cool that must have been, Don. That stuff is way too complicated for my little gray cells.

[cnw1995]

Must be a great sight to see - all those big engines moving together and the sounds! I like to get five different trolleys working but I have to keep an eye on all of them (and a hand on their five throttles) - just call me Mr. Octopus. 

[kpolak]

No time for trains today. I have been thinking about redoing part of my layout. Make a few new features. Add a new bridge and make a better upper level. Lots of work. 

If I remember the last time you added a new bridge it took about a year....Chief had his layout done by then.    Perhaps the Amish carpenter would be of some assistance?

Kurt

[kpolak]

Must be a great sight to see - all those big engines moving together and the sounds! I like to get five different trolleys working but I have to keep an eye on all of them (and a hand on their five throttles) - just call me Mr. Octopus. 

Hey Dr. Octopus...any new news on the new Batman movie?  Did they finish filming?  Any new stuff to show?

Please pardon my comic publisher combination.

Kurt

[kpolak]

Hey Don, that sounds awesome!  How about a video?

Kurt

[dbaker48]

Hey Don, that sounds awesome!  How about a video?

Kurt

I havn't mastered that yet.  (Getting on the web) 

[Wes Whitmore]

Fife,

Do you have any pictures of a layout with them being used?  Those really look nice compared to some of the $50 MTH buildings out there. 

Wes

[Wes Whitmore]

I wonder if they will be recalled after someone finds "lead" in their paint!  I'm assuming that they are made in China, like everything else...

 

I'm going to start looking for some of the buildings.  I have a Michael's nearby.

 

-Thanks for the pictures!

W

[dwiemer]

Dennis-Did you have anything to do with the movie Facing the Giants?

Jim

Jim, not any more than most of our members.  I prayed and our financial part.  This movie I have a fairly big part...not on camera though.  I am procuring the majority of the items used.  There will be  a special treat for the folks here, but I can divulge no more information than that.

Dennis

I was wondering from some of the info in past posts.  You may of said something before I regularly visited the pot.  Really great movie.  First DVD I have bought since "The Passion" and plan on using it during a youth lockin we are going to do this fall. 

Getting ready to go to work, I'll check in as time allows 

Jim 

Jim, we did another movie prior to "Facing the Giants", called "Flywheel".  Sony has picked it up and is issuing a "Director's Cut" version that will be released in November.  It has already sold over 100,000 copies just from the church.  It is also available in Blockbuster, so if you are planning on a movie night, you could rent it.  Also, if you PM me at [e-mail] I can get your information and I will buy a copy from the church and send it your way.

Checking in as another slow day.  A few minor trauma cases, but otherwise, I believe this to be the calm before the storm.  Did some layout work last night.  Son helped, but wanted to do more.  During scenery, I think he will have more work than he can take.

Hope all is well,

dennis

[dougdagrump]

I wonder if they will be recalled after someone finds "lead" in their paint!  I'm assuming that they are made in China, like everything else...

 

I'm going to start looking for some of the buildings.  I have a Michael's nearby.

 

-Thanks for the pictures!

W

Wes, If they are in your area check out Big Lots, they normally carry a brand made by Lemax for the "discount stores". If they are animated the animations won't be as fancy as the Lemax brand but they will still have some animation. This is especially true of the halloween items.

[dwiemer]

OK, so I finally got through the last several pages since I last checked in.

Don, that sounded like a great moment.  I hope to attempt something similar in the future.

On the topic of Lemax, I first started getting them when I got a K-line catalog and right after, I found myself in Sears.  They had the ice cream parlor and the hamburger stand for about $10.00 less than K-Line advertised.  Then I went to Michael's and found a bunch of great stuff.  Always check internet and with the workers at the store about coupons and discounts.  For items that you absolutely want, like the ferris wheel, etc., buy them with the coupons when you see them, chances are, everyone will want them and they'll be gone.  If you have items you would like, but can hold off, wait till after Christmas and you can get them for as much as 70% off.  I recently picked up the hospital using a 50% coupon.  We have the Duck shooting gallery, swing ride, and several other items.  Also, check out the Big Lots for the Mr. Christmas series.  They have nice scale carousels and swing rides, etc. at good prices.

I tried to get Michael's to put coupons in Classic Toy Trains magazines, but they say the Lemax figures are not exactly to scale.  I don't buy the figures, but the buildings are close enough for me.  And Yes, I will have some on the permanent layout....if my wife will let me have them as she wants them for the Christmas set up.

Lastly, if you go to WalMart, they have a special lighting set that has I believe, 5 or 6 of the building lights with clips all on one power cord.  If you have your buildings relatively close together, you can light them without a bunch of separate lights to plug in.

Dennis

[Nick12DMC]

dbaker48 - If I were to wear that disguise "undercover", I risk catching a 5 inch stiletto high heel (size 5) right between the eyes.

Fifey, I'm going to take your advice and leave this one alone.  

Nice to see the board getting back to normal... if this can be considered 'normal'...

Nick and Bakeer and Daan (and now trumpie) holding down the fort across the big pond (trumpie - watch out for these three... they like to drink and build large buildings that resemble garages that double as train rooms).

 

I do hope we are not getting a reputation....... Over in Daan's part of the world this weekend, Taking a trip to Amsterdam.

Finished painting the garage this evening... hooray. Not my most favorite job. Picked up 30 sheets of Plasterboard (drywall) on the way home from work. Enough to do the ceiling in the gamesroom and the garage.

Hope everyone is OK

Have a good one

Nick 

 

 

[jonadel]

Dennis--
We use the D56 bldgs. which are "not to scale" either but I have yet to have any guest in our home mention that, now the D56 people are giants which I strongly dislike are another matter. I think I have convinced the better half of that fact.

On another point. Two weeks ago I got a call from a commercial production film company in Des Moines with some questions about my layout, they had a clinet that wanted to do an internal presentation and they wanted a lead in of about 20 seconds with trains and villages. The local hobby shop referred them to me as he had seen a copy of our video that we did last Christmas.

Long story short, the producer and director came out the next day and they liked what they saw and we scheduled a shoot for a week later, after we had come back home from a short vacation to the north woods. A crew of 5 was here for 5 1/2 hours with more equipment that you can imagine, at times we had to use alternate exits to even move around the two rooms. Glad I had a remote to keep doing takes of certain scenes, there were five scene shots and the set ups were just very carefully thought out and done over & over. I really enjoyed myself and just kept quiet and kept a couple of trains running when they wanted them to be in the scenes.

My point is: they loved the D56 bldgs. with the trains, however, we did remove the giant people :) Even better, I was given a very large check at the end of the shoot, site fee. I reminded them from November on it turns into Christmas Central around here, I do hope they come back or at least keep me in the back of their minds.

They promised me I would get a copy of the finished product in a few weeks, sure hope so. I was surprised it took 5 1/2 hours for a 20 second spot but I enjoyed every minute they were here.

So after all these years, my trains are surprisinly now starting to return dividends in the form of money, never thought that would happen! After they packed up they wanted to see all of the trains in action, lots of smiles and praise. Felt awfully proud of our efforts.