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

[sir james I]

MORNING ALL,

Fifedog- great story, loved it.

Nick12- yes that tool to tighten the nuts would have been a biggg help. I had the wife hold down on top while I hand tighten them. hope the silicone holds.

33 & windy of course overcast. reg gas still $3.09. no plans for today, just going to go with what comes along.

Checked with the train store yesterday and no big new items at the moment. Later, Sir James

[ChiefEagles]

Chief - You still haven't explained to me the need for Southerners to serve Mac and Cheese on Thanksgiving.  I have asked several Northerners and all them start laughing.

Never heard of that.  I think there are a lot of Yankees living in the Asheville area [we call 'em Carpetbaggers] and must have come from them.  Turkey, stuffing, gravy, ham, greens, butterbeans, cranberry sause and mashed potatoes [added due to SIL and his family].  My family always had eastern NC pork bar-be-que and slaw for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.  No Mac and Cheese.  Now I have learned some yoyo's [way up Nawth] eat Chinese for New Years.  

This discussion comparing Northern and Southern cooking reminds me of an old joke that may explain why we southerners are so creative in the kitchen.

What's the real difference between a Yankee Zoo and a Southern Zoo?

On the cage, a Yankee Zoo will have the name of the animal and then the scientific name in Latin.

Whereas, a Southern Zoo will have the name of the animal and the recipe.....!

p.s. I'm from Virginia.

 

That is because Yankees think that cows, sheep , hogs, turkeys and chickens are wild animals and put them in the zoo.   The only Yankees I know who know better are John F and his family.

Morning all.  Off to Town Hall.  Rainy and cool.  Got chest cold from all this crazy weather and lady at Town Hall.  Came to work sick as a dog and I sent her home.  Spreading germs all over the place.  Well, grits will help get rid of it [along with some meds].  Trainroom work later today.

[tmcc man]

Good morning everyone,

I did not get much sleep last night so I got to stay home today.

Fife great story. I did that last summer when I was down the shore to my sister and my one cousin. I adorned the my uncles boat with my cousins bikini tops and bottoms. I climbed on the roof and put a few pair of underwear on the weather vane, and put some shirts, jeans, and shorts on all the trees out front. It was such a riot, and no one got me back. I was getting them back because the night before they put make up all over me, and I silently wiped it all off so they would have no clue when I got it off. And, they didn't take pictures, unlike my aunt did when she helped me. If I could find them, I would post them.

Chief I took 2 tylenol last night and it worked really well. I have a small amount of pain left, but other than that, I have no bad pain anymore.

Well, I'm going to go have breakfast. Have a good day everyone. 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  38 and not bad here going to get a sprinkle this morn then to clear up.  Got to suck up leaves this after.

  FIFE, HEE HAW to you, Great story.  Wish I too could have seen those faces along with the comments from the kiddos on the bus.  Pretty funny stuff.

   MITCH, maybe Saturday, I hope?

All have agood one.

laz57

[anjdevil2]

Fife---Good Job!!!  I currently living in estrogen city (Her Majesty & The Princess), and boy oh boy can I relate!!!  hmmm may I can try that one here....

Another great day here....up to 75F.  Took a PT Cruiser rag top home last night, put the top down, froze my whatevers off (yup had the heater on!).  Afterall, rag tops are meant to be driven topless, right?  And it was only 50F when I left work.....

My Atlas trolley came in yesterday, WOW!!! Put it next to the Lionel Christmas trolley...OMG!!! What a nice piece!!  Doug...you listenin?  My LHS guy was soooo impressed (yes we ran it!!) He's ordering some RTR sets from Atlas...that impressive!

See ya later!

Rich

[dbaker48]

Chief and Marty - New standards to pursue....

The new Airbus 380, is in LA for a test flight.  Man is that huge, over 1.3 million lbs., can carry 800 passengers.  Talk about BIG seats, you can even recline.  Too big for me, when it ever comes down it would come down hard!  

I would prefer taking the train.

 

Hope noone gets their panties in a bunch cause this isn't train related. 

[ChiefEagles]

I hope airbuses are gone for me except for personal travel.  Marty E will need it.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I would prefer taking the train.

High speed, too.

[Anonymous]

I would prefer taking the train.

High speed, too.

I wish the Fed would invest in AmTrack and make high speed coast-to-coast rail a reality.  You wouldn't need a direct NYC-LA train, could make stops in a couple large cities along the way... just need to cut the trip from 3 days down to < 1 day.  I'm thinking NYC-CHICAGO-LA maybe a stop in Denver?  Or a DC - LA train... anything would be better than what we have now...

Rail moves more people, more efficiently, and cheeper than car/bus/plane.

[Buckeye Riveter]

I would prefer taking the train.

High speed, too.

I wish the Fed would invest in AmTrack and make high speed coast-to-coast rail a reality.  You wouldn't need a direct NYC-LA train, could make stops in a couple large cities along the way... just need to cut the trip from 3 days down to < 1 day.  I'm thinking NYC-CHICAGO-LA maybe a stop in Denver?  Or a DC - LA train... anything would be better than what we have now...

Rail moves more people, more efficiently, and cheeper than car/bus/plane.

Brent, take a look at page five of this report.  http://www.dot.state.oh.us/OHIORAIL/Ohio%20Hub/Website/ordc/Ohio_Hub_Final_Docs/Executive_Summary.pdf

 

[cnw1995]

'Morning from a sunny and freezing Crystal Lake where i am contemplating a similar action to Fife's  story upon eyeballing the gigantic mound of laundry that magically grows on the floor of the teens' rooms - no offense to Colin or Grayson...

Rich, I have seen that gorgeous trolley - which did you get? I am green-and-orange (Cal. Public Service colors) with envy.

Don, saw that Airbus when it visited Chicago - too scary big for me. Interesting here the state (somehow) is supporting UP's experiments with high-speed trains on the Chi-StL route -they funded Amtrak's increased volumes on a few routes and rideship has just exploded.

Any advice on an optional set up for a few yard tracks? I have an open area off a main line - but can't seem to fit something in with a1521/22 switch, then curve, then straight then another switch for the second track - goes 'too' long. I guess I need a photo to show.

[Dave Farquhar]

I wish the Fed would invest in AmTrack and make high speed coast-to-coast rail a reality.  You wouldn't need a direct NYC-LA train, could make stops in a couple large cities along the way... just need to cut the trip from 3 days down to < 1 day.  I'm thinking NYC-CHICAGO-LA maybe a stop in Denver?  Or a DC - LA train... anything would be better than what we have now...

Rail moves more people, more efficiently, and cheeper than car/bus/plane.

And given the obsession with terrorism, rail is safer. You can't hijack a train and fly it into a building.

I love flying, but current regulations have really ruined it. I flew to Chicago this summer. The tickets advised getting to the airport TWO HOURS early. And of course the non-random screening got me--anyone with a "q" in their name is a terrorist, you know. So when I travel, it always will take the full two hours to get on the plane. In all, it took 3 1/2 hours to get to Chicago by plane (only 45 minutes of which we were actually in the air). By rail, it would have taken about an hour longer.

I'm hoping we'll vacation in Chicago a lot more often in the future, and we'll probably take the train. It's less stressful, nearly as fast, and a lot less expensive.

We used the El to get around Chicago and we loved it. I'd love it even more if we'd stayed closer to downtown. Next time we will.

I also travel to Kansas City a lot and while it won't be practical for my next trip (I'll be hauling too much stuff), I'll probably start using the train a lot for that too. A ticket costs $25, and I can't drive there for that.

[anjdevil2]

Doug I got.......(drum roll please....)

New Jersey Public Service Transit

It's going on my Christmas layout next week, I'm leaving at the LHS so see if we get some bites on it, he has another one ordered.  Also got to run the Hogwarts Express.  Not really impressed with the air whistle, but seems to be a great running engine, and smokes really well too!    I'll be getting mine fairly soon...after my Polar Express and the Trolley...!

[cnw1995]

Oh man, I should've guessed NJ Public Transit! Congrats on a nice group of new items.

[Anonymous]

Buckeye,
That's cool, but there are significant flaws:

1. High Speed Rail is greater than 110MPH
2. High Speed Rail should connect major cities to major cities... not airport to airport (doing this still highlights air travel), I say they should have High Speed (200+ mph) Train links between the major cities, each with their own major train stations.  These train stations would then link the NATIONAL train service to the local light rail systems, or subways, or trolley systems.

High Speed Rail should be just that - High Speed and designed to move the most people in the shortest (beat air travel) amount of time - then once the people are there, the local transit system would take over (much like the airports of today).

Note: Pittsburgh would be forced to drop PAT and consolidate all the regional transportation authorities into a Southwestern, PA or Western, PA (to accomodate New Castle, Erie, Mercer, Edinborough, Warren, Washington, Greensburgh, etc)... there really is no need to have 200+ mph connections between Erie - Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh - Washington, Pittsburgh - Greensburg...

Note: Baltimore and DC SHOULD consolidate their Metro lines and add lines to Frederick/Westminster/Hagerstown/Cumberland and for a Maryland Transportation Authority that would be responsible for inter-city mid-speed rail services.

... maybe I should start a consulting business and put my PLAN into writting, lay it all out as to who would be responsible for what...

[Buckeye Riveter]

Brent, Yes 110 mph is not high speed, but it is the speed where FRA will let you share the tracks with freights which reduces real estate costs dramatically and makes the case economically justifiable. You need to read the complete report.

[Anonymous]

Buckeye - I did... head still spinning...

That is part of the problem - requiring passenger rail to share tracks with freight... they don't do this in other parts of the World, so why require it here?  What I'm saying is that the passenger rail system be seperate from the freight system... more along the lines of what they have done in Europe...

[Wes Whitmore]

I guess financially, people would want to try to reuse the tracks that ar already there.  Since most of the steel is coming from over seas now, maybe it's cheaper than I think...

[cnw1995]

That's the speed limit on the experimental trains run on UP track from Chi to St. Louis - 110. I've read of all sorts of adventures to secure grade crossings. It's fun to blue-sky possibilities - in Chicago - absolutely-strapped for just day-to-day transit funding - they're still musing about extending Metra to Milwaukee (already covered by six daily Hiawathas) and Rockford.

[anjdevil2]

I can tell you from some experience, that the Acela runs 100+.  I've seen first hand what has to happen for high speed rail (Buckeye, I think you can back me up here...)  When the Metroliner first started, I saw all the ties on the main line replaced with cement ties.  The rails were layed at the time by "hand", welded and then ground smooth.  Track alignment was checked and I believe the tolerance had to be dead on for 90+mph to happen.  I guess that this is some of the financial limitations of starting high speed rail.

Believe me when I tell you, I was on the east platform in Princeton Jct, NJ when I saw the Southbound Acela, literally blew through.  5 minutes later, here comes the Northbound.  Nothin' like the breeze of high speed rail (luckily, I was holding on to something...)

[CSXect]

I would like to see a rail link from Clevland to Cinci with a stop in Columbus. Then Ohioians could have easy access to all the sports teams major and minor, baseball, football, Hocky and even soccer

For several years they have been in the research and fesability stage of lightrail service in the central ohio area.

[laz 57]

HEY GIZ,

  Well came home ran a quick mile on treadmill, took dog for another mile walk.  Got on tractor sucked up leaves and cut grass for final time.  Now got to get ready for SNOHIO.  Maybe Sunday, so they say depends on how cold it gets?  We'll see?

later

laz57

[magicman710]

Evening all... My 394 log loader and 1950 catalog arrived today!

[CSXect]

Anyone Have O gauge AmericanFlyer out there is it easy to find?

[jonadel]

Dave F.--

We just returned home this afternoon from Chicago, a short 3 day trip but it was excellent. We stayed in Oak Park, old neighborhood and about a 1/2 block from the EL. Parked the car the first day and it didn't move until today, we took the EL everywhere and it worked out great, much cheaper than a cab or driving downtown. I believe Oak Park is about 10 miles from the loop (or less), very affordable and about a 30-35 minute relaxing ride. We stayed at the Carleton Hotel, very reasonable and tremendous restaurants. We normally stay downtown but couldn't find a room anywhere. We really enjoy downtown Chicago at this time of year, just beautiful.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all... My 394 log loader and 1950 catalog arrived today!

Good.

Speaking of arrivals.  Got two packages from a guy in PA.  This guy took my CN [custom painted and decaled by me] U36B's and was going to convert them to PS2.  Begged to do it.  Been three years now.  He has had one excuse after another.  Well, I got back my shells [filthy], an extra shell for freedon train, old frames [for pulmore motors], one unit with two can motors but no electronics, four can motors, four sets of trucks for the motors, four sets of pilots, other parts but nothing completed.  I did get a LN [can't believe it has been boxed new this long]  Missouri Pacific ABA E6 by MTH Primier set with PS2.  # 20-2260-1 is the number.  2000 catalog vol 2.  BIG units.  Dual motors in both A units and dummy B.  Smoke in both A units.  Great rig but I don't do MP.  Now I think I can assemble all the parts and get canned motors in frames and the shells will fit.  If not, I 've got some new Pullmor motors and trucks I can put under old frames.  If I do get them together, I will TMCC and sounds them.  Anyone want a massive MP ABA PS2 set?

Why did he send the set.  Bet he thought I would send LAZ and in 800lb bear to get him.

[tmcc man]

Evening all... My 394 log loader and 1950 catalog arrived today!

Good.

Speaking of arrivals.  Got two packages from a guy in PA.  This guy took my CN [custom painted and decaled by me] U36B's and was going to convert them to PS2.  Begged to do it.  Been three years now.  He has had one excuse after another.  Well, I got back my shells [filthy], an extra shell for freedon train, old frames [for pulmore motors], one unit with two can motors but no electronics, four can motors, four sets of trucks for the motors, four sets of pilots, other parts but nothing completed.  I did get a LN [can't believe it has been boxed new this long]  Missouri Pacific ABA E6 by MTH Primier set with PS2.  # 20-2260-1 is the number.  2000 catalog vol 2.  BIG units.  Dual motors in both A units and dummy B.  Smoke in both A units.  Great rig but I don't do MP.  Now I think I can assemble all the parts and get canned motors in frames and the shells will fit.  If not, I 've got some new Pullmor motors and trucks I can put under old frames.  If I do get them together, I will TMCC and sounds them.  Anyone want a massive MP ABA PS2 set?

Why did he send the set.  Bet he thought I would send LAZ and in 800lb bear to get him.

Chief, I bet the reason he sent you that set was because he either: 1) wanted to get rid of it, or 2) felt bad that he couldn't do the conversion.

Good evening everyone,

I rested a little more after my post today. It felt good to finally get some sleep after getting none last night. I'm watching B 17: A Flying Fortress on the Military Channel. This has to be one of the best channels ever created, right next to the Speed Channel.

Well, I'm off to have some Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, and then I will tune into CSI: Las Vegas.

[Brutus]

- great story Fife!

88 - why have the Fed/Amtrak do it?  We should start an LLC and get this ball rolling - imagine how much $$$ could be made!

Doug M - I sent you an email with a yard idea, see what you think of it.

Colin, save some of that icecream for me and I'll bet Sir James will take a scoop too!    Glad you are feeling some better, how are your grandma and sister?

Chief, I guess whoever it was felt a little guilty so sent extra to ease the hurt?  Sounds like a bananza esp since you know how to do this work!

Chuck, glad wife is doing better each day.

Sir James - meet me at Colin's?

Everybody else (Rich, Buckeye, EDW, and all others includin NJAL) - Howdy!

[sir james I]

Brutus- I'm on my way.I may be a tad late as we have had nasty winds out of the west today.Temp got to 34  but the wind was cold.  2 yr  old gr.son here today so we ran Hogwarts x then he went home and all was well.........Sir James

[CSXect]

Well its off to bed so I can get to work for a gruling 8 hours of hard labor before the week end.