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

[Brutus]

Sir J - yeah, when I first heard about it, it was direct through Lionel only.  About 2 days after I ordered it, they started advertising for sale at regular stores and the price was a little lower!  If you do sell one, be sure to tell folks that it won't pull 3 passenger cars very well - the cars are too heavy or the loco is too light.  Take your pick.  It will pull the tender and 2 passenger cars pretty well though!

This weekend, I'm working 5 hours OT and then working on the Halloween layout.  Also need to do a little more wiring in the basement and mow that lawn.

[John Bakeer]

0900BST in a fine cold Stockport, going to Chatsworth to see the Autumn colours of the extensive woodland there it's a glorious sight, take some photo's too.

I don't know wether you guys have noticed but everything is on the back burner over here (England-France) as tonight (about 1300 EST) a gang of fierce men are going to knock hell out of each other chasing an oval ball around a field in Paris (it's a bit like your Football only tougher).

I'm not out to cause a quarrel, there's enough aggro' out there, but in order to preserve defference to the deserving I will drop the pre-fix James. I hope you understand. The Forresters are Freemasons (there are many orders) over here and as such are regarded as a secret society. On a couple of occasions I was asked if I would like to join the masons, however as they are Queen and God! And myself being an Athiest and Republican I had to decline. (Being nice tollerant people they would have thrown me out anyway.) I am now of course black listed!

[Nick12DMC]

Nick,

Further to my earlier post; I have found a UK/US transformer at Maplins, it's a fig.VR05 300VA auto-transformer which they assure me is up to the job. I have purchased one and DHL should deliver in a couple of days, total cost £34.99=$70.00. If it works? This could be the answer to all our PS problems (What's betting I've goofed??).

Lovely sunset over Stockport, dry and mild but frost forecast for tonight, may get to Chatsworth tomorrow-The Duke of Devonshires home. Now HE IS a real Sir. I don't like imposters!!! Change your handle James..........?

Hi John, As your set came with the CW-80 I think your going to have problems trying to run from a 50Hz source. The loco should run ok but you will find the whistle will sound all the time.

If you can switch off the whistle or disconected it that would solve that problem. However I have grave resevations on connecting any CW-80 to a 50Hz source. Lionel "designed" (I use the term loosely) to run on 60Hz only. The whistle and bell control circuit uses the 60Hz wave form for timing and this screws up, when run on 50Hz.

The CW-80 my son got with his first set was run on 50Hz when we first tried to run the set and the cooling fan failed pretty quickly. This is not good as the transformer core will get warmer when run on 50Hz. A chap over in France contacted me to say that he had run his CW-80 on 50Hz and disconected the whistle. He left the transformer on overnight by mistake and it melted . Thats not good.

You have two options as I see it.

1)  As the docksider has just a whistle and it does not have TMCC or Trainsounds. You should be able to run the docksider on 50Hz with a UK spec transformer/controller from Tennents Trains.

2) If in the future you want to try TMCC or Trainsounds equiped locos or use the CW-80 then there is the 12V DC to 120V 60Hz pure sine inverter route.  For a 300W unit this costs about the same as Tennents UK spec control unit (catch 22). There may be a cheaper option if you want to experiment? Chris (Of the Lionel Collectors Club UK) has run a CW-80 from a modified sine wave 60Hz inverter. It works ok, he uses it for accesories as he did not want to try expensive locos on it. However as the docksider is a basic loco this might work for you.

You would need the 230V to 12V DC 25amp power supply below

http://www.amperordirect.co.uk/products/300W-12v_Power_Supply.asp

And then a modified 60Hz sine wave inverter somthing like this

 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/150-W-Watts-Power-Inverter-Car-Lighter-12V-110V-120V_W0QQitemZ140158639171QQihZ004QQcategoryZ79816QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 I can't be 100% sure that it will work but Modified sine inverters are a lot cheaper than pure sine.

Hope my ramblings help

Nick

 

[kpolak]

Afternoon.  Checking to insure that the Yanks are behaving.  I see they are doing as well as they can do.

Of course...all the Southern troublemakers are in Pennsylvania.

Kurt

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 52 degrees. Sky is clear and it's going up to 70 today, with more sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have some chores to do inside and outside. I have to finish putting away things for winter. I don't like that word. The only good thing about it is, I spend more time in the train room. And I need to do that. It's due for a cleaning again.

Ballgame tonite in Boston. 6th game. I hope they win. Go Tribe.

Nascar race tomorrow from Martinsville.

Dining Car is here and breakfast is ready...... Later.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' English.  Clear & 55 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Just read the past 3 pages;a lot of cloak-and-dagger goings-on...  Buckeye, if you decide to bring back an engine, I'd make it a DASH-9...NS wouldn't miss it from the 10,000 other DASH-9s.

YORK - I pulled onto the fairgrounds about 1040 hrs and walked straight to the Orange Hall and the CTT booth.  Buttons were GONE baby GONE!!!  I was greeted by Roger Carp (great sense of humor) and he introduced me to the new Editor, Carl Swanson.  We chatted for quite a few minutes, and I was impressed by how warm & friendly he is,and a YANKEE to boot. (Sorry Chief, Carl hails from Maryland). And I have to mention Ad man Dean Bennett, who seems to be the mischievious one of the bunch.  Met up with Brent and Mitchie for lunch about 1330, and then we went to the CTT booth for the gathering, at 1430 hrs.  One-by-one, Laz, Roy, Marty, jefelectric, 23, Dave, strolled on up.  We took some pictures, and had an impromptu Coffee Pot meeting in a dark corner by a waste bin.  Good to see these guys again. Both Lionel and MTH had huge good looking displays this show, with lots of demonstrations going on.

Chief - spoke with Andy Edelman (Mike's right hand man) about your switch problem.  He was totally unaware of the problem with the Realtrax switches,and he personally reviews all emails coming in for service.  Don't know what to tell ya.  They're simply not being bombarded with similar complaints, so it hasn't been addressed.

Phish - found 2 out of 3 of those mine cars (red & blue).

Contact Gary Clark & Laura Zase at [e-mail]  

Didn't pull the string on any blockbuster purchases this time around;actually spent more time socializing.  Did pick up 1)Trainman UP Hi-Cube boxcar 2)4 metal townsfolk 3) a 3-story three sided building (Coca-Cola) 4)5 jeeps 5)box of trees from Scenic Express...ANNNd (saved the best for last) 2 packs of the best looking wooden telephone poles I've ever seen from DM&M.  Didn't spend more than a C-note.  Drove home in a "leaf" storm.

Now, have to go to the supermarket for meatballs...it's SWEEDISH DAY, you know...

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Thanks Fife.  I'll email the man at MTH.  What I expected from Mikey's crew.  BTW: several of my marine industry buddies are from Maryland and they say they are NOT Yankees.  Their forefathers were GRAY all the way.   Getting ready to go to the store.  It takes a while.  30 miles away.  The two good hotels there were booked and then they have three budget type [that I do not stay in].  They had big super rivalry high school football game and homecoming at the town where the store is.  Some rooms taken by that.  Traffic in the town was a nightmare last night and stadium packed.  Have a good one.  

BTW:  got email from Choochooauctions.com  Train City has purchased several big collections.  Got some great items on thier site and more to come.

[sir james I]

A SUNNY COOL GOOD MORNING TO ALL,

John Bakeer-I understand your feelings about my handle but it goes all the way back to my childhood it was a nickname that stuck and I have used it as a "handle" for many things over the years. I have NEVER EVER said or implied its use in the British meaning. The Foresters here are intwinded with the HQ in Canada,they sell life insurance, we have meetings and outings, with donations to the needy. It's orgins are traced back to the UK.

With that done I will say no more about it. Subject closed from this end.

We are having family over for grandsons birthday,7th. I'm checking the clock to see if it's time for them to leave yet. But there not coming till one. I'm sure some of the boys will want to see trains today. Later,,,,,,,,Sir James

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and warm Crystal Lake where I am readying to go on the 'Trail of History' with the boys - it's a hike deep into a prairie reserve full of re-enactors of our county's earliest days - trappers, single room schoolhouses, etc.

Got one of those alarming phone calls late last evening: the daughter was a passenger in a car that had an accident. This small car with four 16 years olds in it (illegal) just blasted into a collapsible barrier at the edge of a highway median after they were cut off. I thought of Buckeye: everything worked as it should: the barrier compressed, the airbags went off. Apart from bumps, bruises and a bloody nose, everyone was OK but the car was a write-off. The police will figure out who cut off whom. The daughter is still shaken up. Good thing I had grounded her from driving because my little car would've broken up. These sort of things put everything in perspective.

[fifedog]

cnw1995 - GEEZ LOUISE, Doug-a-roo!!!  You're going to be silver-haired in  6 months.  Fortunate that no one was seriously hurt.  In my experiences, you never want that "Knock on the door"...  Let's hope that your girl and her friends learn something from this...

[Wes Whitmore]

Here is another one.  Let me know if you guys want me to stop posting these here in the coffie pot...

This one combines the smaller radius, high switching track with a 054 loop.  I'm really liking this one... 

Go Bucks!  I have tickets to the game today, and am getting ready to do down and "warm up" a little...

[fifedog]

Wes - First off, I really like your posts.  Second, (And I'm going to try and put this subtly as I can) your expansion plans (though very cool looking) are kinda like watching a SUPER MODEL gain 30 pounds.  Over the summer, I've enjoyed watching your videos and seeing your updates.  You have a really cool design already.  I like your idea of the yard off to the left, but man-oh-man, leave that original setup alone...

[Wes Whitmore]

I hear you fife, but that original design is somewhat limited on what I can do since it's only one track.  Also, I can run larger trains because of the 031 curves.  Lastly, I have more space to work with than I had when I started.  I definately value your opinion though. 

Also, designing different tracks is a lot of fun right now.  I'm not great at variety though, so I post these to have someone make a suggestion that I didn't think of.

Thanks,
Wes

[fifedog]

Wes - Ok then. That last one kinda looks like a plate of linguini.  Your curent layout could be set up any train show/meet, and people would be glued to it.  That's what tells me you've really caught something there.  And I too love designing track plans.  Great stress reliever. 

[Buckeye Riveter]

fifedog...Happy Sweedish Day to you too!

I don't know what he is talking about most of the time.

[John Bakeer]

James,

OK, lets put this thing to bed.

Can't wait for the power supply to arrive, stopping home Monday- Tuesday. Could see the Ashlar and Spen Valley RR in operation mid week. Will try and post a pic' later.

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon All !

Boy, this has really been a week of Hi's and Lo's.

We had planned on celibrating our 42nd anniversary earlier in the week by going out to her favorite Italian Restaurant for dinner but something forced a cancellation. We both came down with some sort of creeping crud about 24hrs apart so we ended up taking turns cleaning out the PUKE bucket for each other. Oh well, like the Cubs fans say "There's always next year".

Doug M, Thankfully she wasn't hurt, but as said earlier maybe they will ALL learn something as a result.

We took THE grandson out to a pumpkin patch yesterday, he had a ball runnin' around looking at everything they had. Wasn't sure though about a pony ride so we skipped that but I thought we'd have to drag him out of the petting zoo. Chief will like this, when he saw the JD tractors they have he said "Poppa, just like mine !". Only his are by Little Tykes and a whole lot cheaper.

Now as a result of yesterday my back is absolutely killing me, he is only two but he can be a load to have to pick up at times. Poppa ain't gettin' a whole lot done today !

Another hi/lo this marvelous week:

 My new Dell PC came this week.

LinkSys doesn't have Windows Vista drivers for my existing w'less

           cablemodem/router/ethernet adapter.

Another less then supportive LinkSys bit of info it appears as though either the modem or the router, can't remember which, is not listed as being Vista supported.     

[Jumijo]

 

Doug, happy to hear that your daughter is going to be ok. Kids that age have so much to learn. Let's hope a lot was learned last night. Scary stuff.

Jim

[John Bakeer]

Doug,

Dell aren't top of the pops here, I get my ERNI fixed by a guy on the corner, haven't bought a new one in years, he just replaces bits/upgrades as required, a new pooter every year for a couple of hundred quid (double it for your currency). Just bought some new Train Sim stuff runs at 3gig, so I need a new processor (3.2gig) my existing one is only 2.4gig. Ahh technothingy!

Still steering clear of Vista, got a lot of gremlins to sort.

[Jumijo]

Repainted wife's car's trunk today. The roof came out pretty nice.

Lots of eye candy moms at the kiddie birthday party. Time for something to eat.

[phillyreading]

Some good news for thursday, Chuck Berry turned 81.

Got my new CTT magazine(Dec. issue) today. Article about Aventura Mall, about 65 miles from me, I must go there soon!

Finally got my cable installed on monday, permanant line on thursday.

Lee F.

[sir james I]

SAT EVENING,

Family all headed for their homes, Ah quite

Doug M-I'm glad your daughter is OK bet she is sore today.

I received a gift from York today MTH, ATLAS,and WEAVER,catologs but with the party here today I only got a fast look.  I didn't see anything that jumped out at me but I need a closer look.

Brutus-How did the basement wiring go? the part with the trickle of AC running through it.  I shall return in awhile,   Sir james

John Bakeer- If it suits you, James M would be ok with me.

[rtraincollector]

Received  my dec issue of ctt also today

Not to much going on here tonight probally early bed as didn't sleep good last night my insomnia kicked in

[CSXect]

I woke up this morning to a bad back and neck pain and I start an diet monday using the optifast product(suppose to lose 60 to 90 pounds in a 12 week period) so no more pizza, burgers, or chipoltle burritoes just optifast, fiber and water but 379lbs is too much even for a 6'4" person to carry around I keep putting off losing weight and am now diabetic I am not a happy camper at the moment

I will watch the Black diamond raiway DVD again maybe it will cheer me up and inspire me to build myb layout as soon as I get the flooring put in and redo the electric in the basement

[ChiefEagles]

Looks great.  I did not know she had a SUPER Impala.  You said earlier model but I thought I was one that came back out as midsize.  Does it have an LT1 engine?  Back from the store.  Just finished talking to some Yankee that works for some little short line RR.    Told me he got called out yesterday as they can not keep their cars coupled.  They must have been made by MTH.   TV time and microwave popcorn time.  Boarding passes printed so I can sit back and relax.  Later   

[kpolak]

Evening all!

Doug:  Received package!  Looks great...no time to run...  Maybe tomorrow.  Glad you're little girl is safe.   She sounds like mine...Mine's 3 going on 16.  Look for e-mail on parenting advice for me.  We collected hickory nuts today, and opened them on the deck.  We have 8 oaks and 2 hickory trees in 1/3 acre...lots o'nuts!

DougNot'daGrump:  Happy Anniversary!  Now that's love!  For your 24th you'll have to take a hot air balloon ride together....to remind you two of the bucket!    Hope you both are better soon.

CSXect:  Our pastor and another friend from church did the gastric bypass with great success...He was about the same weight, she was a little little lighter....Very strict diet...Can you go that route?  PM me if you would like to talk to him.

Wife said best massage she's ever had..Big points!...Now she wants to go every other week...oops.  We had a dinner at home just the two of us.  Explained to oldest that we needed time together, gave her popcorn, and TV in our bedroom...Sold!

That's all for tonight,

Kurt

[Anonymous]

Evening fellas...

Had a blast yesterday at York... I did pretty good:

K-Line B&O Cushioned Cable Car
Lionel North Pole Central Lines Reefer
Atlas Trainman C&O 40' Plug Door Boxcar
Atlas Trainman Illinois Central Hi-Cube Boxcar
MTH Railking Club (MTH Wooden Tankcar)
MTH York 2007 Commemorative Boxcar
12 K-Line Jeeps (flatcar loads and autocarrier loads)
Complete circle of Atlas 21st Century O-45 track and 8 straights, with 2 track power connectors

And after three visits to Ma & Pa's booth... the buy of the day...
William B&O Baldwin Sharks (A-A)

When I got home and showed Susan and my sister everything Susan was quite impressed with my purchasing abilities... Then I went back to the car and brought in the Sharks and said, "These can be my b-day present."  "OH! You've already seen them, so why would you want them for your b-day?  And you bought them."  "OK, so I get to keep them out now?"  "Yes dear... I know you've been looking for them."

She's DEFINITELY a keeper!

Ren Fest was fun today... took my camera and was too 'distracted' to take pics... saw this one lady in a pirate outfit that left VERY little to the imagination... wish I had time to get the camera to take a pic, but I had an icecream in my hands... the pic would not have been suitable for this forum...

Pics tomorrow!

[CSXect]

CSXect:  Our pastor and another friend from church did the gastric bypass with great success...He was about the same weight, she was a little little lighter....Very strict diet...Can you go that route?  PM me if you would like to talk to him.

Gastric bypass and lap band are pretty extreme for me, the programe is through central ohio something or another nutrition and once you have lost the magic number of pounds determined by body type and shape they ween you off of optifast and "train" you on how to eat reasonably to maintain a healthy weight and they have a doctor and a nutritionist monitoring your health as you go along. The hard part is going through the hollidays and not eating food

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the 70s.  Doug, glad to hear your daughter is ok.  I can not imagine what you and your wife went thru when you got the knock at the door.  I am glad the "sir"ious issue was resolved peacefully.  As I posted elsewhere, my "regular" issue of CTT came today.  Last night, I did track at the YMCA and this morning did weights and track.  Set a new personal best for the 15 minute track time.  Watched "Moonlight" and "Numb3rs" last night.  "Moonlight" deals with vampires in LA.  It is no "Buffy" or "Angel", but it is a good show.  Cleaned house and the gutters today.  My wife and I went to a friend of her's daughter's wedding today.  The ceremony was short, the food was good, and the company quite pleasant.  It was a good day.  I had bacon and wheat bread English muffins on the dining car for breakfast.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[dougdagrump]

Well it sounds as if it will be a little dicey with the weather starting tomorrow thru the latter part of the week. They are calling for very strong Santa Ana winds extremely low humidity, single digits, and very warm. Hope they are wrong but some areas could see 75mph gusts. The ironic part is that if it does start tomorrow it will be starting on the  anniversary of the start of one of the worst fires in SoCal history. All because some dumb hunter got lost and shot off a signal flare.

Don, Hope you got everything nailed down. Reminds me of a joke, but it's not suitable for the board.