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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 Buckeye Riveter on Saturday, February 3, 2007 6:34 PM
 brwebster wrote:

  Yuz Giz invading Canada this summer?  No passport needed if you drive up but it's required now ( as of last month ) if you're flying. 

Bruce, several years ago I had to go to Soo, Michigan to do some work for the United States Army Corp of Engineers.  I decided to fly through Toronto and then on to Soo, Ontario.  I would then rent a car, head south to a hotel in Soo, Michigan.  Sounds simple doesn't it?

I boarded the plane for Toronto with valid Ohio driver's license and a copy of my birth certificate.  At the airport in Toronto, they did not like me using a copy of my birth certificate and they did not like my Irish surname.  They sent me to a room where an immigration official who was from a Southeast Asian country began the questions. 

Of course, the immigration official could hardly understand Ohio English and only heard the words "Army", and "work". The kicker was the Irish surname.  In the previous weeks the Irish Republican Army had been connected to an organization in Canada that was funding weapons for the IRA.  The questions leaned towards their concerns about the IRA.

Needless to say I got to my flight to Soo, Ontario, but for an unknown reason my bags did not make it.   Later that day when my bag arrived in Soo, Michigan, it had been searched. 

After that experience, I took my passport with me every time I crossed the border.   We have of course used the passports more for the return trip to the U.S.

Celebrating 18 years on the CTT Forum. Smile, Wink & Grin

Buckeye Riveter......... OTTS Charter Member, a Roseyville Raider and a member of the CTT Forum since 2004..

Jelloway Creek, OH - ELV 1,100 - Home of the Baltimore, Ohio & Wabash RR

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Posted by ChiefEagles on Saturday, February 3, 2007 6:48 PM
Evening all.  Took back a bag of track I found [never used] and got a new switch.  Moved a switch [054] from the grain elevator to the TTUX siding and another leg to it.  Put the new switch [072] in at the grain elevator.  That puts the TTUX tacks equally apart and wide enough for the trailers to be in between with their tractors.  The grain sidings are closer together now and looks better.  Ran the big SD80's with Dash 8 lashup on outer loop and the 2065 on the inner.  Fun running them remote with CAB1.  Time to watch Little Miss Sunshine DVD [we saw it when it frist came out].  Funny movie.  BTW: Feds finally sent my tobacco allotment check.  One month late.  Who has scale NS box cars?  Looking some.  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 csxt30 on Saturday, February 3, 2007 7:10 PM

 ChiefEagles wrote:
Evening all.  Who has scale NS box cars?  Looking some.  Later. 

Chief : they do not make or sell N.S. boxcars anymore !! They say only CSX ones sell, cause they have color !! Laugh [(-D][(-D]                         ( The Chief will be back !! ) 

Thanks, John  

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Posted by rtraincollector on Saturday, February 3, 2007 7:33 PM

Hi all that was just one of the many inside cats we have they range from 24LBS (boots) to 5 LBs ( squeeky shes a drawf cat shes 4 years old and still looks like a kitten) not a great pic but shes on the right on the left is her brother Uncle Crackers

 

 

Lisa hope your freinds are okay let us know if you hear from them

 

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by Brutus on Saturday, February 3, 2007 8:39 PM

Howdy folks!

A lot to catch up on, as Marty has noted well!  First, prayers for those in Florida.   

Been pretty busy, running around last night looking for a Cricket machine for my wife - it's a computerized scrapbooking device that makes letters out of paper (I think).  Found at Walmart in Fenton for about $50 less than Michaels.  But, she wanted to wait and buy it at the Walmart in Arnold, so we left it.  I worked OT this morning.  My beloved took our daughter out shopping for a dress (father daughter dance coming up!) so I took my son to Arnold Walmart and then to grocery store for weekly shopping.  Guess what - local Walmart doesn't have the Crickets any more!  They had 20 last week and sounds like they won't be carrying them.  I called my wife (Cell phones - what did we do without them?) and she ran back down to Fenton so all was well.

My wife had a 20 plus pound barn cat when we started dating, but I'm allergic to cats.  Our dog is non-allergenic!  Her cat, Sneaky Pete moved to Texas with my in-laws until his death a few years ago. 

John (CSXT) - What ever you do, do not put any kind of heater out there with the cats.  My grandmother did that with a mother cat and kittens under her front porch and it had deadly consequences.

Just realized I forgot to buy Weetabix!  I was going to let the kids try it.  I'd check for Vegimite or Marmite, but I suspect that there is about as much market for that stuff in Arnold as there would be for Grits in Rogers Corners!Wink [;)]

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, February 3, 2007 8:43 PM

Buckeye,

  I've also had a few unpleasant experiences with customs and immigration.  It seems doubly frustrating when you're hassled trying to return to your own country.  The real kicker is that no matter how bad the situation is an innocent person has no ability for legal recourse against these officials for wrongful treatment.  Luckily none of my border crossing experiences has gotten that bad.

  Driving back from Hershey, Pa., 2 years ago my father and I crossed the border at Queenston/Lewiston, just north of Niagara Falls.  After the prelimenary questions such as place of birth, etc, the first line of interogation by the border guard was, " Are you guys bringing back any turkeys? ". ( It was our Thanksgiving weekend so there must have been a lot of idiot Canadians buying cheap turkeys in the States and smuggling them back at that time.)  Knowing how humorless those bastoids are I figured I wouldn't win any friends by cracking jokes so I simply and honestly replied, "NO". After our declaration of the goods we were importing we were on our merry way again.   Dad chuckled about the silly turkey question.  I told him how tough it had been not to point at him and tell the guard, "This is the only turkey I'm bringing back". 

Good night and have a pleasant tomorrow!

Bruce Webster

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Posted by cheapclassics on Saturday, February 3, 2007 9:38 PM

Good evening all,

It was sunny; it was cloudy; it was snowy; it was windy; it was cold in SE Indiana today with temps only in the teens.  Did housework and went to the YMCA and ran Lucas back and forth to work.  Worked on building some houses out of American Bricks for the "temporary" standard gauge layout I have in the back room.  I ran the 8E with some 500 freight cars and the passenger cars today as well.  Buckeye, I know full well what a tornado is like, having gone thru it at Hanover in '74.  I hope the people in Florida are ok.  Tmcc man, good to hear your dad is well enough to go to the show.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

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Posted by jefelectric on Saturday, February 3, 2007 9:45 PM

 fifedog wrote:
dbaker48 - excuse me, Sir, if you have to ask the price, you obviously can't afford...

Don, I got beat to this line, but I thought of it as soon as I read your post.  Glad you decided to save your money for York.

John Fullerton Home of the BUBB&A  http://www.jeanandjohn.net/trains.html
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Posted by csxt30 on Saturday, February 3, 2007 9:52 PM
 cheapclassics wrote:

Good evening all,  Worked on building some houses out of American Bricks for the "temporary" standard gauge layout I have in the back room. 

Mike C. from Indiana

Mike : I didn't even get my bricks out this year !! Gee, if you get a chance, take a picture of of your buildings you built for us !! Those things are great fun !! I think I told you before that I still have all mine from when I was little !! Plus I bought more !! I think someone else here has them also !!

Thanks, John

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Posted by laz 57 on Saturday, February 3, 2007 10:23 PM

  HI GIZ,

   No trains tonite.  Went to church and took wife out to eat, then came home and watched the latest version of KING KONG, on HBO.  Well if you didn't see it it is ok.  Really dull in the begining then picks up.  But he still falls in the end.  Lots o 3rd Ave. Trolleys in movie. Looks like a Lionel ad?  But not a bad movie.

  Place about 2 feet of balast material down today to see what it looks like, not too bad.

Later.

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 Saturday, February 3, 2007 10:24 PM
Oh - Also, John Baker, I just recently got a package from England and it only took about a week, so you should be getting yours shortly I'd guess.  Also, I just pre-ordered a bunch of Lionel stuff.  I swore I wouldn't do it again after waiting so long last year, but there you go - guess I'm a glutton for punishment!

RIP Chewy - best dog I ever had.

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Posted by Nick12DMC on Sunday, February 4, 2007 1:07 AM

Hi all, Post from the States was very slow over the Christmas rush. Took about a month for the Hellgate bridge to get here. Normal time is about a week to 10 days. For Large boxes Smile [:)]

Jim,

"Just realized I forgot to buy Weetabix!  I was going to let the kids try it.  I'd check for Vegimite or Marmite, but I suspect that there is about as much market for that stuff in Arnold as there would be for Grits in Rogers Corners!Wink <img src=" border="0" width="15" height="15" />"

Like trying to find Hershey bars or Cool Aid in the UK! If Chief ever visits the UK he better bring an emergency supply of Grits.Wink [;)]

Nick

 

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Posted by John Bakeer on Sunday, February 4, 2007 2:48 AM

Chief, here's a grit(ty) problem for you,

A Taffy (Welsh) boffin has come up with a bright idea, as salt damages vehicles and road surfaces they are using a mixture of sugar, starch and cereal instead of standard road grit(s). Trouble is, the local sheep are getting fat by eating it, thereby wrecking their teeth and defeating the whole object. I have written to the Welsh Office and asked them to keep an emergency stock on hand for you should you feel home sick should you stray across the pond.

That many posts, I am having trouble keeping up, how do you guys find the time to work, have family, home and run trains.

Dare I ask! Who won the SB? Football 1 





John Baker

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Posted by GregM on Sunday, February 4, 2007 6:48 AM

It is really cold outside this morning.  Ohio is getting one heck of a blast of artic air this weekend.  Went to Statcare bright & early yesterday morning to have blood drawn.  Then went to restaurant for breakfast.  When we got home I decided to shovel some snow from the driveway, had to come back inside after only a few minutes.  Saw that rear tire on truck that sits outside was very low.  Took air compressor a while to get started, kept overloading circuit breaker.  Once air compressor had filled tank, put air in tires on truck and car.  Ran truck engine for a while, it had not been run in a while.  Truck moaned and groaned a lot when I moved it from the driveway to finish cleaning it. 

Finshed watching Tracks Ahead volume six last night.  Man some guys go way overboard with their outside G guage layouts.  One fellow stated he had $500K, yes, 500K in the layout not including the trains.  Had a lot of engines and cars so total investment is incredible.  Looking forward to SPF but will wait awhile to look.

 

The weetabix truck is really neat.  I have several cereal trucks that may someday find a place on a layout.

Tom,

Karen looked at her picture and said something like "my hair looks too long but otherwise not too bad." 

 

 

GregM
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Posted by Blueberryhill RR on Sunday, February 4, 2007 7:16 AM

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a cold, sunny 6 degrees. Only going up to 13 today, with a chance of snow flurries, later.

Today is Superbowl Sunday. I will watch the game and enjoy the neat commercials that are always a hit. I heard that some new ones are going to be shown. Big bucks for the air-time. I may run the trains, in the early afternoon. Don't think I will do any work on the layout today. That may change, of course. Looking forward to Sunday Photo Fun. I don't have any pictures to post yet.

Dining Car is here and full. " Points west " are not up yet. Time for a good breakfast. Be back later.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

Chuck # 3 I found my thrill on Blueberryhill !!
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Posted by spankybird on Sunday, February 4, 2007 7:26 AM

Brrrrrrr Brrrrrr Brrrrrr from NE Ohio

Where the temp is now 1 deg., boy am I glad we are near the lake to keep us warm!

 

GregM - Glad Karen aproved of  the pic. That was a fun night.

 

Yesterday we were up at the museum, the third leg of the O gauge is coming right along

 

 

I am a person with a very active inner child. This is why my wife loves me so. Willoughby, Ohio - the home of the CP & E RR. OTTS Founder www.spankybird.shutterfly.com 

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Posted by Roger Bielen on Sunday, February 4, 2007 7:41 AM
I don't get to watch the Super Bowl tonight.Sad [:(] I just noticed that its on CBS out of Atlanta and CBS is a UHF station that doesn't reach as far as I am.  No cable available either.Banged Head [banghead] Too cheap for satillite, 100+ channels with nothing/little worth watching.  Guess I'll be working on trains and listening to the radio.
Roger B.
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Posted by csxt30 on Sunday, February 4, 2007 7:59 AM

Good Morning Everyone !!  Kind of cold here today, of course us Yanks hardly notice it !! Laugh [(-D]

Chuck : is the dining car on a timetable Question [?]  It's running late today !! Big Smile [:D]

I see Tom shrunk Spanky down to get him in that Gon !! Laugh [(-D] (on Sunday Photo !! )Big Smile [:D]

I'm charging my batteries on my camera now to get a picture for Sunday Photo ! I added a little scenery to an area !!

Hope everyone has a nice day !!

Thanks, John

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Posted by mitchelr on Sunday, February 4, 2007 8:19 AM

I'm baaaaack....

Here are few pictures.  Let's see if you can guess where I've been.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We got back late Wednesday afternoon.  I was really busy at work on Thursday and Friday having been gone for a week.  Took me until this AM to catch up on the news in the POT,  Haven't even begun to look at other threads.


Take care,

MitchCool [8D]

 

 

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

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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 4, 2007 8:24 AM
Mitch,
Welcome back!  Looks like you had fun visiting Arizona and Las Vegas!

Did you get to see the bridge construction over the Colorado River, just South of the Hoover Dam?

Brent
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Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, February 4, 2007 8:30 AM

Going to be another cold one here in Northern, MD!

Looks like the house is a no-go... We didn't hear anything on Friday and then yesterday we spoke with our realtor and this is the story:

1. Selling realtor never contacted the bank
2. He never sent our offer
3. House is up for auction on 2/20
4. Our realtor contacted bank and they told them that if the seller will list with them and they get the offer in early next week there may be a chance to avoid auction
5. We have given up on that house... may be seeing a lawyer to have selling agent's license revoked and have his 'lawyer' prosecuted for impersonating a lawyer
6. Wife wants to go look at 15 houses today!!!!!!  I could scream!  Banged Head [banghead]
7. Many have potential for nice train rooms

Keep you posted on the housing dilemma of the century!  LOL!

Oh, and a realtor is coming today to tell us what we need to do to our house to get it on the market and sold quickly... so I have to run... long day ahead!

Brent

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Posted by Nick12DMC on Sunday, February 4, 2007 8:49 AM

Super Bowl will be on TV here in the UK. I just found this info on the NFL site.

"In the UK, Channel 5 will televise the Super Bowl on terrestrial television for the first time since 1997. As part of Super Bowl Week on Channel 5, the broadcaster will also air a 30-minute prime-time program each day leading up to the game focusing on its significance as an American social phenomenon and the premiere global sports event."

Have a good Sunday all

Nick 

 

 

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Posted by MartyE on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:07 AM

Everyone keeps talking about this "Super Bowl"  What is that?  Should I be concerned?

Anyways I plan on spending a better part of the day adding more foam landscaping to my layout if it's not too cold downstairs.  Bought 3 cans so I need to plan every use so I can empty a can in one use unless anyone knows how to keep them for a few hours without clogging.  It's just a bit nippy here. at 6degrees.

Trying to update my avatar since 2020 Laugh

MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!

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Posted by rtraincollector on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:07 AM
 lionroar88 wrote:

Going to be another cold one here in Northern, MD!

Looks like the house is a no-go... We didn't hear anything on Friday and then yesterday we spoke with our realtor and this is the story:

1. Selling realtor never contacted the bank
2. He never sent our offer
3. House is up for auction on 2/20
4. Our realtor contacted bank and they told them that if the seller will list with them and they get the offer in early next week there may be a chance to avoid auction
5. We have given up on that house... may be seeing a lawyer to have selling agent's license revoked and have his 'lawyer' prosecuted for impersonating a lawyer
6. Wife wants to go look at 15 houses today!!!!!!  I could scream!  Banged Head [banghead]
7. Many have potential for nice train rooms

Keep you posted on the housing dilemma of the century!  LOL!

Oh, and a realtor is coming today to tell us what we need to do to our house to get it on the market and sold quickly... so I have to run... long day ahead!

Brent

Good luck hope all turns out for the best.

Life's hard, even harder if your stupid  John Wayne

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Posted by tmcc man on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:10 AM

Good morning everyone,

The Auto Show was okay, I wasn't feeling well, so I really didn't want to walk around much. I didn't get many pictures, because it was so crowded.

When I walked into the show, I headed right for the Mercedes booth. Many of you know that I am a huge Mercededs fan. Well, I started talking to my dad, and then he spotted someone who works with Mercedes. My dad asked about a training program, and the guy gave us his card, hours he works, and his number. He said he is going to try to get as much information as he can to help start me in the program. I almost died. I couldn't say thank you enough. So overall, that was the best part of my day.

When I got home, I packed up my XBOX 360 and headed to my friends house, where we played 360 for about 3 hours and then watched PINKS Racing. I was really tired after my day, so I was glad to go to sleep.

I hope everyone has a good day.

Colin from prr.railfan.net
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Posted by pbjwilson on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:12 AM

My Super Bowl Prediction

Bears 367, Ditka 24, Payton 35, Sayers 14, Butkus 7, Colts 0

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Posted by mitchelr on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:17 AM

 lionroar88 wrote:
Mitch,
Welcome back!  Looks like you had fun visiting Arizona and Las Vegas!

Did you get to see the bridge construction over the Colorado River, just South of the Hoover Dam?

Brent

 

Brent - I sure did.  That is going to be one daunting project to finish.  They had a problem with a cable tramway that collapsed in September that set them back until at last 2010 according to our guide. 

Mitch 

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

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Posted by MartyE on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:24 AM

They had a problem with a cable tramway that collapsed in November that set them back until at last 2010 according to our guide.

2010!?!?!  How long did it take to build the original Dam? 5 years!  That 3 more years from now! Seems those boys could learn a lesson from the past!

Trying to update my avatar since 2020 Laugh

MartyE and Kodi the Husky Dog! ( 3/31/90-9/28/04 ) www.MartyE.com My O Gauge Web Page and Home of Kodiak Junction!

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Posted by mitchelr on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:40 AM
 MartyE wrote:

They had a problem with a cable tramway that collapsed in September that set them back until at last 2010 according to our guide.

2010!?!?!  How long did it take to build the original Dam? 5 years!  That 3 more years from now! Seems those boys could learn a lesson from the past!

 

Marty,

That's exactly what I thought when I was there, but this bridge is humongous.  They talked about how it would be one of the tallest poured concrete pillar bridges ever built.  It's only about 30 miles from Vegas, you should try to take a spin down there if you get a chance when you are in Vegas for the All-Star game.

 

[url]http://www.hooverdambypass.org/whats_new.htm/[url] 

Mitch 

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

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Posted by laz 57 on Sunday, February 4, 2007 9:47 AM

HI GIZ,

  Its a balmy 18 degrees here.  To get to 22?  Then really cold and windy tonite.

MITCHSign - Welcome [#welcome]BACK.  Hope you took the DAM tour.  And had a DAM TOUR GUIDE.  we did and really enjoyed it out there.  Did you win BIG BUCKS in VEGAS?  Hope so?  Remember YORK is coming up.  Spend all your winnings there.

  Called up a guy from RIVERVIEW TRAINS IN TEXASS and got a MTH F3 NYC ABA with PS2, and 6 passenger cars for $650, last nite.  Thought it was a good deal? 

  Going down to local watering hole for super bowl with wife and brother and his wife.  Wings, hotdogs, meatball, beans,cheese, and all the rabbet food you can eat for $5bucks.  Not bad got to buy your own beer.

GO BEARS!!!

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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