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

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Finally a day off.  Warm and wet here.  Going to Columbus this afternoon as wife is returning from driving her mom to Florida, and classes start again this evening, so I'll be in Columbus all weekend.  Going to try to get a few things done before I need to go. 

Jim 

[ModelTrainLover]

Our Historic Engines Need Help!!!!!! [Click image to view full size.] In 2004, the MNGRR's Steam Program fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Railroad Administration. This means all four of our steam locomotives now have to go through a thorough inspection. FRA mandated upgrades must then be completed before a locomotive is allowed to run. At the start of 2004, the MNG used its available funds to put Monson Railroad engine #4 through the FRA process. To this day, number 4 is our only available locomotive. The museum has since set aside funds to put Bridgton and Harrison engine #7 through the same process. Since #7 is much bigger than #4, the cost for rehabilitating engine 7 exceeds what the railroad can currently afford. We estimate it will cost between $25,000 and $30,000 to put #7 back on track. We will not start the restoration work until we have the sufficient funds to complete the project. We need your help! A Maine native, #7 is a 1913 Baldwin built for the Bridgton and Saco River Railroad. Weighing in at 33.5 tons, #7 is a 2-4-4RT type locomotive that hauled passengers and freight in New England for nearly 100 years! After her career in Maine, in 1947, she went to the Edaville Railroad in South Carver Massachusetts as founder Ellis D. Atwood's first engine! She made her return to Maine in 2002. She saw occasional service at the MNG in 2002 and 2003, but has not turned a wheel under steam since. Please consider a tax-deductible donation to put this engine back into service! Checks should be made out to the Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad. Most importantly, be sure to include a note indicating that the check is for the "Engine 7 Fund." You can also click the donate link on the left, and during the payment process you may specify "Engine 7 Fund" in the memo field. If you have any questions about #7 or our steam program, please contact Mike Moulison at [e-mail]. Mail to Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad 58 Fore St. Portland, Maine 04101 Any of you could help out??

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Had to go get hair cut before going to NH on Monday.  Rainy and very warm.  Suppose to be in the 70's today and this weekend!!!!! [in Jan??]   Hope to do some train work today.  Got to ruch for now.  Later

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys. Just downed a steak-egg&cheese sandwich from Zorba's. 'Tweren't bad, you know that? Gonna dust off some of the rooftops on the layout today,plant a couple pines here and there, and shine them rails up. Oh, and get started on the laundry sitting on the other side of the room. I'm a multitasker,yep.

88 - I know I've loaded you up already with sights to see, but it also occured to me you live right down the road from the Western Maryland Historical Society at Union Bridge.  They have a nice layout in their former station building, and a lot of their members are also model railroaders with some outstanding pikes in alll scales. It will be hard for that area not to grow on you. Be sure to look both ways at Detour.

laz57 - haven't told Mrs. fifedog what we are up to. In the meantime, you may want to build up them forearms. Maybe try some chin-ups from the tree-stand.

[AKKevinT]

Good Morning All,

Had a some time available this morning to catch up on forum reading. I either need to find more time or brush up on speed skills. There are a lot of new threads to read and the coffee pot krew does not waste any time building up the pages either! Not much new in the far north. Taking the Christmas layout down this week. I guess this means the holidays are now offically over. Handball tournaments are coming up in a few months so I think I will be spending more time playing ball than trains. I am not sure if I will be able to get to Anchorage to play in up coming events but I want to be ready in case the time is available. Plus I don't want any of the younger guys putting a hurt on me in the courts (especially my 19 y.o. son who has yet to beat dad in singles, old age and trickery)!

Weather is turning a bit cooler here I think our high today is going to be around -25°F depending on where you are at. Might drop down to around -35° to -40° tonight so I guess we are going to have a couple of days of colder weather. The weather is warmer in the hills and colder in the low spots in the Northland. Glad I live in the hills it is nice to have an inversion factor going for us. Sometimes can be as much as 20 degree difference, and there is a lot of difference between -20 and -40 thats for sure.

LAZ: If you keep putting more lights on we may be able to see you at night from all the way up here.

Gotta head out to work Have a good day everyone I'll check back in a few days. 

Best Regards from the Freezer– Kevin T.

[John Bakeer]

Nick, Any help in finding said club would be appreciated.

  

[laz 57]

 

AK KEVIN,

  Since YUZ GIZ are in total darkness up there this time of year, I figured if I got enough light on the layout it might brightnen up your days.  YUZ GIZ aren't going to send any off that cold stuff down here anytime soon?  We like being in the 60s in January.  Stay warm buddy?

laz57

 

[Nick12DMC]

John B, The website is being upgraded but you should find details at.

http://www.fastnet.co.uk/lionelclubuk/

The club has around 100 members and a quarterly magazine "Shortline" They have a yearly show at Ilkley which I went to last year. My first time with a display layout (well a oval of track). They also attend other train shows through out the year.

Regards

Nick 

 

 

 

[dbaker48]

I guess need some more grounds, the pot is falling off page one.  Everyone must be gone skiing or something.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Evening All......

It was a warm. rainy day today. 62 degrees. It seems kind of quiet tonite on the Coffee Pot. Hi Don.

Where's Buckeye ???

[GregM]

Ever notice that short work weeks don't feel any shorter even though they really are.  However, the past four days seemed to go on forever.  Thought about going to the OTTS gathering tonight but the weather is crummy and I'm just too tired.  Would have enjoyed it though, haven't made it to a meeting in a long time.

Requested and received approval for vacation days on Thursday and Friday of both York meet weeks.  May not go either time but decided to be prepared just in case.

Received an e-mail from Atlas regarding the "The World's Greatest Hobby Shows!"   "Atlas, a proud sponsor of the World's Greatest Hobby on Tour, will have a booth featuring our newest merchandise, and will be offering raffles for free products, at all five shows.  One of the five scheduled shows is Monroeville, PA that is a few hours from here.  Trying to decide if its woth the drive since parking can be difficult and it is I believe $9.00 a person to get in.

 

[dwiemer]

Been a long day, did not get much sleep last night and have had to do a few cases.  Friday seems to be the day when most emergencies occur.  Could be a emergent finding of a chronic condition.  Anyway, Mother in Law and the rest of the gang are heading our way to celebrate Christmas with us.  Doesn't look like I will be getting any train time in.  I guess the tree layout would qualify, but the kids will be running it.  Oh Well.

Hope y'all have a great weekend and I hope to be able to check in for the Sunday Photo fun.

Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Busy day.  Did some work in the walk-in  and now taking a night time break.  Couldn't get started until afternoon.  Rainy and was carrying carpet in and cutting benchwork lumber.  Did vacume down the isle and the carpet I put down.  The carpet was one of those, "Don't throw that away I might use it one day," things.  I did.  Rest and Pepsi One with popcorn.   

[c50truck]

Evening all, Folks, It’s time. Time to turn the corner and crank up the heat in the dormant greenhouses. This always means I have less time for my other interest, but the greenhouses do give me the seasonal play money to add to my trains. It’s snowing and the wind is howling here in the inland northwest, But that’s to be expected.

Rod L. 

[jefelectric]

Good evening guys,

Was baby sitting most of the day.  Was running trains on the floor, just like the Chief used to do.

Here is a picture of the granddaughter's layout.

We filled the 3rd floor playroom with so much smoke I had to open the windows.

No time for trains at home today & probably not tomorrow either.

It was warm and rainy all day today.  To taper off tomorrow.

Have a good evening and enjoy your trains,

[jefelectric]

Evening all, Folks, It’s time. Time to turn the corner and crank up the heat in the dormant greenhouses. This always means I have less time for my other interest, but the greenhouses do give me the seasonal play money to add to my trains. It’s snowing and the wind is howling here in the inland northwest, But that’s to be expected.

Rod L. 

Rod, What do you grow?  The Chief and I have hobby greenhouses, don't know about the Chief but I just give away what I grow to friends and family.

[dwiemer]

John, thanks so much for the referral regarding those Lackawanna cars at Cooltrains, they are beautiful and the gentleman at CT was very nice to talk with.  Just wanted to say Thanks.

Dennis

[c50truck]

Evening all, Folks, It’s time. Time to turn the corner and crank up the heat in the dormant greenhouses. This always means I have less time for my other interest, but the greenhouses do give me the seasonal play money to add to my trains. It’s snowing and the wind is howling here in the inland northwest, But that’s to be expected.

Rod L. 

Rod, What do you grow?  The Chief and I have hobby greenhouses, don't know about the Chief but I just give away what I grow to friends and family.

 John,

I grow everything from Ageratum to Zinnias. It's a seasonal commercial operation. I do give away a lot of plants, especially different tomatoes. The wife claims I give away the farm. Yet, I still have the farm.

Rod L.

 

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  Just got done running trains tonite for 3 hours NO PILE UPS.  Great nite did not fell like wiring any more lights for layout, didn't want to melt all the snow up in ALASKA ah KEVIN?

  Had a blast though and really like what is going on with the layout.

  JELECTRIC, nice carpet running did CHIEF give you any tips?

  FIFEDOG,  kept my forearms in tune tonite 12 ozs. at a time.

  All have a good nite.

laz57

[wrmcclellan]

Late evening all!

Very busy last 2 days so no time to post. Getting ready for Phoenix/Mesa trip Monday morning. Tough to get a rental car due to the bowl game there Mon night? So no discounts.

Glad to see all are doing well.

RAn some trains late last night. Ran the MTH 4-4-0 NYC American. Sweet runner. Smoke is not too good. Got to disassemble it and see what gives. Smoke just kind of drifts out of the stack vs good blast like my other MTH steamers.

Have a great day Sat all!

[John Bakeer]

0600 GMT here in a mild +8 cloudy Stockport, dark for another 2 hours, bahh! 

Nick,  

Many thanks for the info on Lionel UK. The site is active and I have e-mailed for further information.

I remember going to one of their exhibitions at Ilkley many years ago, but at that time found the models too crude for my tastes. It's surprising how Arthritis changes ones opinions.  

Dennis,

Now all the silliness is over for a few months, I can persue my photographic survey of the local hostelrys--hic!!  

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a dark, gloomy 53 degrees. Rained last night. Going up to a mild 55 degrees today. Maybe a few showers this a.m.

Today is Saturday. I have a few things to do around the house and then I will spend some time in the train room. I figured out that I have to change the town building's location a little. Have to make room for two upper level tracks and a switch. This is an engineering delight. But, it's fun and it's good to think, while running trains. I have decided that my Williams JC Trainmaster is a perfect pick for a sound system. Lots of room inside and openings in the top screening for sound. I will be ready in a few months for that. It ought to be fun.

Well, the Dining Car is here and it's time for breakfast. Later.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[A&Y Ry]

A good Saturday mornng to all!  Temp to reach 71-73 degrees today here in Greensboro---some crab apple and decorative cherry trees are blooming. But cold front on the agenda for early next week.

Running three passenger trains simeltaneously yesterday with two Cab 1s demonstrating for a new O-gauger----the N&W "J" with Powhattan consist, Ps-4 w/Southern Crescent Heavyweights and, third, the Streamlined Ps-4 "Tennessean" w/  its ribbed aluminum cars. But also had the "dropgate"  under the dual mainline open to demonstrate access to layout interior and how the gate operated.

While watching and explaining the two trains on the elevated line I ran my brass Weaver Ps-4 "Tennessean" operating on one mainline, off the layout at the open gate and down onto the deck. Thankfully the floor is carpeted and the damage was limited to the boiler front flying off and it received a slight bend of the "spoiler" on the rear cab roof. Unfortunately [and stupidedly] I had my "deadman" power interrupting switch for tracks approaching the the gate disconected to relocate it slightly.

No fool like an old fart!

 

 

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !!  Not much going on here. What a January !  Been really nice working lately.  I hope it stays this way all winter !!

Will be contemplating my getting started back on scenery now. Got away from it when I got the new bridge.

Hope everyone is having a nice weekend !!

Thanks, John

 

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

Where the temp is 51 deg and very wet. Lot's of rain yesterday and this morning.

John, I have to agree with you. This is my kind of winter ! !

Last night on the way home from work we watched a van in front of us hit a water puddle on the intersate. He started to hydroplain and lost control. He was fishtailing across 4 lanes and back again. Hefinialy did a few 360's and then ended up in the wall. Somehow he missed all the other cars in the road, inculding me!.

Last night at our OTTS meeting we went outside in the rain to run Jack's garden RR.

And no snow, just lots of rain!

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys, just got back from Dunkin Donuts with 2 dozen, and an extra large brew for me.  The kids had a couple sleep-overs last night, and I just didn't feel like cooking for 8 this a.m.

CHUCK - it's gonna be 70 in the midatlantic today.  I still wore my parka out, just in case mother nature was watching on closed-circuit tv.  I haven't paid to close attention to your old posts, is civil engineering a profession or passion for you.

DEWEY - I have that t-shirt.  Did time stop?

csxt30 - I'd better get trackside. I spent two minutes sipping coffee watching your animation!

[csxt30]

Fife : sorry to hold you up !!  Glad you liked it. Below is the site for these. Just scroll down to TRAINS & there's a ton more of them !!

http://www.heathersanimations.com/

Tom : nice to see Jakes outdoor RR !!

Thanks, John

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Pretty and going into the 70's.  Off to Miss Edna's for a few.  Packing up Christmas that was inside and now sitting in a "pile".  Getting the old roller bag down for the trip to NH.  Marty, got the big seats going.  No big seats coming back as US Airways Express [got Express because boss insitied I stay until too late to get a good flight home that night and not staying another night].

Dewey, I ran a post war through the wall the other night and right off the tracks.  It took down the wooden bumper I had put up.  Running with CAB1 and lost signal for some reason [my body will do that once in a while].  Got some white paint from the floor on it but no damage [lucky].  Put up barricades at holes now that will stop a tank.  Carpeted the room yesterday too.  Now doing the benchwork to make the circles.

Later.

[spankybird]

Fife : sorry to hold you up !!  Glad you liked it. Below is the site for these. Just scroll down to TRAINS & there's a ton more of them !!

http://www.heathersanimations.com/

Tom : nice to see Jakes outdoor RR !!

Thanks, John

John, that's a great site. I added to my fovorites

Spanky likes this one

and this one

 

tom

[cnw1995]

Good morning from an incredibly warm Crystal Lake where it still is 20 degrees above normal - last day with the high below freezing was Dec. 8 - what a run! This should all end Tues, I hear, but I'm enjoying it now. I'm worried one of the trees in the back is starting to bud. Hope to have a quiet Saturday - just clean the house and run some trains later.

Tom, glad you dodged that near-accident. I still remember heading off into Pennsylvania on I80 on the first leg of an all-day drive into a snow-storm years ago and seeing a semi flip over right in front of me. Like in slow motion but it 'bounced' the other direction.

Sorry about that mishap, Dewey, glad it wasn't too bad.