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

[sir james I]

cnw1995-Doug, I bought 2 of the first Thomas sets. both had issues with the CW-80 but it could be fixed by adding a light bulb to the track circuit. Lionel offered to exchange the track with the hookup for a section that had a lite built into it. the problem was the engine did not draw enough current.    Sir James

[Jumijo]

We have all the Thomas line's engines, and all run very well. As Doug mentioned, James is a little small compared to the others, but Percy has Magnatraction! Buying the Thomas set is a great deal. Track, locomotive, cars, and a transformer for a little more than just an engine costs.

Try Charles Ro or Justrains if you want it fast and cheap!

Have fun with your grand daughter!

-------------------------

I'm running out of gas. I went to bed at 3 am and woke up at 5am to go to work. Too pooped to pop, but loving every second of it.

 

[Jumijo]

 

The Red Sox/furniture store deal is coming on ABC news in a few minutes. My wife already has all the paper work filled out.

[CSXect]

Strange goings on in the south Columbus/Grovetucky area an accident on 23south and 665, 4 tractor trailers, another auto accident at 104 and 665, and to top it off a police copter went down over the Scioto river both pilot and passenger alright.

On the lighter side I have lost 9.2 lbs from last tuesday till tonight

Am learning both C and C++ using Digital Mars Compiler and Sams Teach yourself C++ in 24hrs I am a little behind because i am taking my time.

Put a down payment on the floor at my house, I went with NatureStone(the original epoxy, gravel "permanet" floor covering)based out of Celevland Ohio.

still putzing around with a layout plan.

[Brutus]

CSXect - congrats on the pounds man!  C and C++ were very interesting and my first object oriented language.  In the long run, I liked VB better, since I don't do projects that often and the relearning curve is softer on the brain!  C got a lot easier though when Microsoft moved into real 32 bit operations and you didn't have to do all the near, far and huge pointers - man, what a headache.  Everything is basically HUGE now.

Man, that Thomas set is sounding good, maybe at Christmas time....

Well, never did get to the layout tonight due to school work etc.  I suspect at this point that we will just put some buildings on the table with a couple loops of track - I might get some black paper or something to put down on the wood first.  Oh well, we can adjust it later and play around on the weekend I guess.

Cubscouts are going on a field trip to the transportation museum this coming Sunday - that will be fun!  I'll take some pics and post.

Great deal on the furniture, Jumijo!

We have either oreos or frozen pie in the fridge, so help yourself guys, desert is on me!  CSXect, most of it is weightwatchers!

[cnw1995]

Sir James is right about the CW80 issues, but I'm curious about what I might be able to do with this transformer - I don't have one this 'size' with a whistle button - I don't really need it but the price is right. And it's in stock versus waiting for the new sets with the 30w transformer to come in. I ordered Diesel too. Guess I'm going to get into Fastrack whether I want to or not. I found some break-ups of the expansion sets but each item was priced high enough to make it a much poorer deal. I am looking forward to converting the 4-wheel caboose to a proper GW brake van.  I told the bride to save everything to give to me for Christmas though so I can savor the anticipation of getting something I like without the fiction of giving it my youngest (I've used that mental excuse before ) -- as well as spend the next 57 days  pondering changes to  the track plans.  Off now to review math with the middle boy. Sigh.

[ChiefEagles]

Long day.  Passports applied for.  Return in 6 to 8 weeks.  Getting shorter as most folks have theirs.  All the folks there today were foreigners from South of the Border. ???? HUMMM 

Peek [going on 19] is hurting bad.  Whinning all the time and can't lay down.  If like this tomorrow AM, going to vet and off to sleep.  He was fine until tonight. 

Well, wife fell in love with new 4 Runner.  Has everything you can get on one.  Backup camera, satellite radio [6 months free], heated seats, 4X4, trailering package, navigation, auto adjusting seats for drivers and you name it.  We will buy it.  She has never liked an SUV and now loves this one. 

Left shoulder killing me.  Been going on for a month.  Can hardly use left arm.  Burns right in the joint.  Not rotator cuff as can lift the world and great up strength.  HAd this in right shoulder 8 years ago.  Went on for months and the body froze up.  All joints.  Alergic to an unknown source was the final word.  Ticks is what most thought.  Sure had plenty earlier this summer.  Later

[Brutus]

Kids in bed so watching Heroes on dvr - not as good as last year, but it is getting better little by little, so I'm hopeful.  Just heard that a new X-Files movie will start filming in December with Sculley, Muldur, etc.  Could be good, we'll see.

Chief, sorry to hear about your dog and your shoulder too - hope it's something they can treat right away and get you back to full power!  God bless you.

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  30 and again frosty here this morning.  To get to 62?  Got a nice 3 miler in yesterday, going to try and get another today?

  All B safe.

laz57

[Jumijo]

Gooooooood morning from New England where the weather will be clear and bright for the World Champion Boston Red Sox rolling rally parade today!!!! 

Great news about the X-Files movie, Jim!  The X-Files was always one of our favorite shows, but we were a little disappointed with the last movie. Remember the season when a lot of comedy was used?

I was in bed a little after 8PM last night. Tired, but euphoric. What a ride!  Spent the evening watching all the specials and breaking news about the team. What a time to be a Boston sports fan.

Doug, it doesn't matter when the Thomas set or transformer was made. A reputable dealer or Lionel will give you a new transformer under warranty if it goes wonkers during the first year after purchase. Keep your receipts just in case.

 

[kpolak]

Morning!

CSXect:  Great news!  Keep it up!

Chief:  Sorry to hear about the Peek, and shoulder...

Latest aquision arrived yesterday!  NS scale flat that was left out in the sun...warped...w/ 2-Kenworth tractors...Saved the tractors, and the sprung trucks! May make a loading dock or wreck with the car...sorry CHIEF.

Pumpkins on tap for today, and groceries.  MIL, SIL, and 9-mo niece due in Friday afternoon...3-under 3 for the weekend...

Kurt

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Clear, frosty & 39 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Chief - sorry to read about the PEEK. 

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

IIABSDISEI with temps in the low 60s.  Did it again last night.  Exercised too soon after eating too big a meal and would have been up again all night except this time I took a couple of TUMS and for once they settled my stomach.  I did get some rest and I did not have to drive today so it is somewhat good.  Jim A, congrats on the Red Sox win and furniture deal.  Think how many trains you can buy with the windfall.  Doug (cnw1995), good luck with the Thomas searches.  The expansion sets would be better if they kept to the four wheel car theme that is on the videos.  There were plenty of "prototypes" they could use instead of trying to recycle traditional Lionel stock into the Thomas line.  Chief, I hope your arm gets better.  Has anyone heard from Tmcc man lately?  I hope his surgeries and recoveries are going well.  I did watch Helio on "Dancing with the Stars".  I also watched part of the PBS special on Charles Schulz.  It was kind of melancholy.  There were bran muffins on the dining car from "Points East" this morning.  I hope everyone has (including me) a good day.

Got the latest TCA Quarterly yesterday.  It had a nice article on modern era standard gauge.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[sir james I]

GOOD MORNING,

Sunny and 40/62 today.

Chief hope you feel better soon. Had a shoulder problem once, after a $1000.00 worth of xrays they said I had a Frozen shoulder. thats the term they use when they can't find anything wrong.

As for the CW80 my grandsons have had no problems since we added the track with a lite bulb in it. And I would certainly take that over a CW30. A good under the tree xformer.

Going to do some  grocery shopping this morning and then start getting some things together for sunday.            TTFN,,,,,,,,,Sir James

[kpolak]

Sir James:  Sorry...I missed the earlier post...I'm going to have to pass on the flatcars..for now.  Thanks for the offer.  I need to focus on the Christmas layout, and a couple of brass inserts for the sprung trucks...the box cars use brass, and the flats use plastic...Will WB have thses this weekend??

Kurt

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Peek is rest good and made it out at 7:30 to pee and back in.  Earlier, I had to go out and pick him up and bring him in.  Think he may have bought a few more days.  Sir James, that is what they said about my right shoulder and went to physical theropy for three months with out any results. Then the big all joints freeze up.  Off to Mom's down east for most of the day.  Think we had our first frost.  Wife calling Toyato man and telling him Friday.  Chris [SIL] is putting car on Craig's List with photos.  We'll see if that works.  3 people that work with her want to buy it but she is afraid something might happen down the road and she would feel bad.  Have a great day.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning from frosty Buckeyeland, where it is currently 38 degrees with clear skies.

Chief sorry to hear about Peak.  Take care of the arm.  In fact, I would suggest a trip to the Roger's Corners Clinic to make you feel better.  The medical staff with assistance of the bartender at Hoggy's could make you feel much better really quick.  Seriously, call Dennis.

The Packers beat Denver last night in OT.  Amazing! 

Had breakfast with an old friend this morning.  A friendship of 20 plus years that is good for the soul.  He is one our best bridge engineers in Ohio and of course you know we have a lot to talk about concerning shear, moment, LRFD, F'c, Fy, ADT, ADTT, etc.

[sir james I]

Kurt,,,,,WB has no parts at the show and usually very few engines as the store is only 4 miles away. He usually sends closeout items. Anything else we send them to the store.   Jim

[Anonymous]

Haven't posted a bathroom update in a while... no work last night but this past weekend I got the tub completely tiled (not grouted yet), and the shower is 2/3 complete.  Took last night off and tonight is a wash as well.  Susan and I decided we are going to rotate the toilet room door 180 degrees so it opens into the toilet room and not into the bathroom.  That means I have to move two switches, BiL coming over this weekend to assist so we're also installing two can lights over the tub on a dimmer and a can light with shower insert above the shower, they will be on seperate switches next to the existing single switch as you come in the bathroom.

Tomorrow I definitely have to get the toilet room fixed up and ready for primer and paint, that means the floor needs to be back together.  Thursday I want to finish tiling the shower.  I'm trying to hold off on the floor till after the electrical work is done.

---
In train related news

Got an email from Marty at Ma & Pa, my delivery has been delayed as Marty has been ill since York.  Hope he gets better soon!

---
Called the friendly folks at Kalmbauch Customer Service last night as my CTT hasn't been received yet... replacement will be arriving in a few days via First Class Mail.

[rtraincollector]

Almost 9 am and just looked out to see frost on the ole truck 2nd morning in a row. getting ready for work tried to stop in earlier but seems the site was down again guess were going to end up starting the coffeepot again the first of the year

This year I expect the chief to do it at 00:01 januray 1st 2008

[Anonymous]

Chief - glad to hear about Peek!  It is hard having to do that... more like he bought you a couple more days!

[jonadel]

Looking at ordering the Thomas set this AM for the princess but was wondering what the difference is between the--

Thomas & Friends Set

"O" Thomas The Tank Engine Set

I see there is a $20 difference (which is a non issue) and was hopeful someone could tell me the difference. I will use either Justrains or Charles Ro. Anything else I should consider? I doubt, at her age, that we would need the expansion pack or is that something I should consider? I will only run this when they come for visits and probably just set up a simple oval in the living room.

Thanks.

[Jumijo]

 

I have no idea what the difference is. Just make sure when you order, that you tell them you want the LIONEL Thomas and Friends O guage train set (6-30069 from 2007 catalog, 6-31956 from 2006 catalog). 

 

Looking at ordering the Thomas set this AM for the princess but was wondering what the difference is between the--

Thomas & Friends Set

"O" Thomas The Tank Engine Set

I see there is a $20 difference (which is a non issue) and was hopeful someone could tell me the difference. I will use either Justrains or Charles Ro. Anything else I should consider? I doubt, at her age, that we would need the expansion pack or is that something I should consider? I will only run this when they come for visits and probably just set up a simple oval in the living room.

Thanks.

[ModelTrainLover]

I was woundering if anyone had an idea on how to fix a chipped wheel on a HO, F7?

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and cold Chicago where the countdown to the latest transit 'doomsday' (underfunding the CTA and Metra) is underway.

Jon, I agree with Jim that verbiage is confusing. Order by number - the 6-31956 has the CW80 transformer; some vendors (like Justrains) only have the older one anyway - and not the newer which is the 6-30069 with the 30 watt transformer. Both have loop of Fastrack, Thom, coaches, 3 figures...

I am studying up on British rail lingo - it is confusing but interesting. I will have to ask Nick or John.  More new words: Up and down trains, banking, loop, corridor coach, shed plates, shunting across the road...

[Jumijo]

I was woundering if anyone had an idea on how to fix a chipped wheel on a HO, F7?

I'd suggest buying a new wheel set. I know my LHS used to stock them. Try the Walther's catalog. 

[jonadel]

Thanks Jim & Doug for the clarification, will get it ordered this AM. Off for a haircut and by then the LHS should be open. I always try them first to see if they have it and if they are close in price I will throw some $$$ towards them, more often than not though they don't have it or are $50 higher.

Thanks again for the help.

[cnw1995]

Good luck, Jon. You'll probably see yours before I see mine. Let me know what you think. I can't wait to break him out with our youngest.

Hmmm, is there such a thing as a piece of Fastrack that connects with 027 track?

By the way, here's hoping Peek and the Chief heal swiftly.

[fifedog]

Buckeye - HOGGY'S sounds like my kinda place.  I think we need to put together a raid on SNOWHIZO!!!

Chief - PEEK's is hanging in there !!!  You may want to take this time to collect resumes for a campaign manager replacement.

[Jumijo]

Hmmm, is there such a thing as a piece of Fastrack that connects with 027 track?

Yes there is, Doug. Sort of... Part # 6-12040 is an O gauge transition piece. You might need to put some shims under the O-27 track.