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

[jefelectric]

Good morning all,

Dewey, There seems to be a lot of that going around lately, first Mitch did it a few months ago, then the Chief and now you.  With my absent mindedness the only thing that saves me is that I don't have a lift out or hinged section.  The other afternoon my grandson came down to the layout room and asked to see my Reading T-1 run since we changed the layout around.  Well I had been working on installing catenary and forgot that I had a folding wooden rule extended to about 2' laying on a portion of the layout not visable from my operating seat.  By now you have guessed the rest.  The T1 hit about the middle of the rule, folded it into a snow plow shape and wiped out a few building and reduced the population a little before I got it stopped.  No damage to the engine.

The weather is to hit 70 today, almost there already.  The PA farm show starts officially tomorrow and traditionally we get some of our worst Winter weather on Farm Show Week.  This may be the exception.  The Son, DIL and 3 grandkids are all there now getting their animals checked in.

All have a good day,

 

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Afternoon all.  Got a break in class.  Pretty interesting stuff.  I took some pictures of the C&O bridge yesterday before we left town and I'll post them Sunday.

Got to go

Jim 

[ChiefEagles]

Afternoon.  Jerry was at Miss Edna's [Todd's Train Depot].  Had some one drive him [I had offered but family came through].  Seemed to be doing a lot better.  Sure made me happy.  He was glad to get out of the hospital.  Going in for outpatient rehab.  HOT here.  Greenhouse exhaust fan running a lot.

Someone has made me mad.  Do not like to get mad but had enough of the arrogance.  About to tell him to pull his lower lip over his head and swallow.  Probelm is his head is so BIG.  

Later

[Anonymous]

Afternoon all!

While layout work has ground to a halt it doesn't mean I've been idle.  I've taken to restoring a few tinplate items that were in need of some cosmetics.  None of these items had saveable original finishes and all were relatively inexpensive investments.  The 177 standard gauge caboose was a bit involved as it's surface rust had bitten into the metal pretty good.  I spent more time filling pits than anything else.  I chose a non-stock bright red with gold accents and black roof. 

I liked the results enough to use the same colors on a ratty 2680 tank car, minus the gold.  Had I found 10 more cars like this at $10 each I would have bought them.  I can't reproduce the lithography but painting them in flashy colors sure makes for an interesting looking string of cars...in the truest tinplate toy fashion.

Then I got brave and disassembled a previously restored #8. Again, I chose red and black and polished all the brass and nickel trimmings.  Amazingly, the reproduction wheels that were fitted during it's first resto have warped due to the zinc pest.  I'll need a new set before I'm able to run this engine without it binding on curves.  Overall though I'm really happy with the quality of this latest resto.

And now on to the next restoration....something a little more out of the ordinary...which I'll post as a new topic.

Bruce Webster

[csxt30]

Bruce : glad you haven't been idle & looking forward to your restoration posts !!  And thanks for catching that on the 0-4-0 I posted ! I meant to put 0-4-4-0 & for some reason I only put the one 4 in there !!  Good to see you're very sharp on that prewar stuff !! Keith will be happy too !!

Didn't dare email The Chief today, as hot as he was !! He did handle the situation admirably, though, I think !! I will still keep fighting erroneous information when I see it . (they can take that to the bank!)   

Just returned from local hobby shop & Walleyworld ! Got a little bag of bushes for scenery to experiment with !! Can't wait till Sunday Photo Fun !!

Hope everyone has a nice evening !!

Thanks, John

 

[tmcc man]

Good evening everyone,

It was a good week here. It went suprisingly fast. Today, I went to BestBuy to return my wireless router that wasn't working. I came home with a Bluetooth ear piece to go with my Motorla Razr. I like it a lot.

Not to be rude, but is Dep the someone that the Chief is mad at? 

I hope everyone had a good day.

[Anonymous]

John,

As for me correcting your typo, I realized that it was exactly that, a typo.  I somehow knew you were well aware of the 42's wheel arrangment.   As you can see from my last post in the coffee pot I also fell victim to the dreaded "can't type worth a tinkers cuss" once I have to fill in numbers.  The 177 caboose should read a 117 caboose.  I'm glad I don't use a computer to do my taxes! 

BTW, where is Keith?  He must be playing with his new 269E set.

Bruce Webster

[spankybird]

John - You have a local hobby Shop? Where is it?  Waite until you see the new diecast car that I pick up at Stewart's. 1886 Benz powerwagon. 

 

[csxt30]

John - You have a local hobby Shop? Where is it?  Waite until you see the new diecast car that I pick up at Stewart's. 1886 Benz powerwagon. 

 

Tom ; yeah, there is one in our mall in Ashtabula.  Above retail prices that will knock your sox off !! The only thing in line with the hobby shops up your way is scenery supplies. Same as up your way, so that's all I sometimes get there. The owner is friendly & helpful though & that's nice !! Hope we see that new Mercedes of yours on Sunday photo tomorrow !!

Now where's Keith ?

Thanks, John

[Brutus]

Howdy, Partners!  Slept in late this morning after staying up way too late watching Monk and Psych! last night.  Had to go to Wallyworld too, but for prescriptions, not train supplies.  Our insurance switches over tomorrow, so wanted to get the next month supply at the lower copay.  Then went to Home Depot to order a replacement sash/window for my basement.  One of the windows was cracked.  Last year, the outside sash glass broke on the inside (it's dual pane) and this year it was the inside sash.  I guess they didn't manufacture them right - both broke when the temperature changed fast and went really low.  The other 3 windows have been fine, so hopefully it was just the one batch of panes that was bad and I won't have to do this any more.  Also picked up all the light switches for the basement - 3 x 4-ways, 6 x 3-ways, and 2 x singles, plus cover plates.  Ran trains last night and my daughter had fun shooting lumber out of the sawmill and off the Joe/Moe car for an hour.  I need to lubricate my docksider - started making a little squeeky sound while it was running, which is when I shut it down.

Hope the Chief isn't mad at ME - he was zeroing in his sniper rifle the other day!

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   Went out hunting deer this afternoon with 70 degrees on the thermometer.  Felt like pheasant season again.  Made a few pushes for my brother and he did for me and we both saw nothing.  Long day but it beats freezing and seeing nothing oh well maybe next week?

   JELECTRIC, hope son and DIL do good at the farm show.  Nice weather for it any way beats lots o snow like in years past.

   JIM F a little MOE AN JOE action, I have that car and it is a hoot.

   CSXJOHN, love the site with the trains and the females.  Wonder what the adult animations are?

    Just got done watching DA CHEFs lose to the Colts.  Brother is unhappy BIG CHEFs Fan.

   Got to go run trains now, Later.

laz57

[ChiefEagles]

Colin, thanks for the "backup".  When the "crooks" get heavy handed, its nice to see "backup" arrive.   Don't worry, I think that situation has taken care of its self for a while.   Just don't like getting mad and telling somone off.  Could have been stronger but not my place.  We are not Forum Gods.  New Years,s ent that person an email extending a hand.  Thought it might start a new.  Well!!!  Water under the bridge.

Got a little framing done in the walk-in.

[1688torpedo]

 Hello All!   Bruce & John- I'm still here! Bruce- Glad you're into restoring prewar trains & can hardly wait to see your photo's. Set them up on a table next to your Corvair's when taking photo's of them after they're finished & you'll have some dandy pictures Don B- Your 1688E arrived yesterday. I tried to call you last night-No answer on the Phone? I figured you may have been out for Dinner or at a Three Stooges Convention! I will take apart your 1688E & Rebuild the E-Unit as the Motor will not run & will also have New Original Stock Drive Wheels installed as the originals are pretty much shot. I will also install a original Light Bulb Socket Assembly for you as the one in there now looks like a Home-made version that is not correct for your engine & I will also have a New Gear installed between the Drivewheels as the old one is shot & will make the Motor run & sound rough as well. The Casting of the engine looks to be in excellent shape with no damage or broken edges which is always a plus as your engine has the early casting from 1936 with the Roof Hatch on top of the Cab & the Winged Keystone just below the Smokehole on the top of the Casting. This Engine will look like a showpiece after it is all finished & You will not owe me anything if you are not happy with how it looks after it is done. How is that for a deal? Take Care all

[csxt30]

HI GIZ,

      CSXJOHN, love the site with the trains and the females.  Wonder what the adult animations are?

   laz57

I only noticed it costs extra for to go there ! Glad you like the site !!

Thanks, John                   

[dwiemer]

  

Dennis,

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

John, Thanks, I know he will be happy to get some ideas.  I will take some photos at the next get together and send them.  He is married to a competative equestrian rider.  His wife travels to the UK with her horse a number of times for some big events.  He tags along and hits the pubs.  They love it over there and have made their own little piece of England in their back yard.

Chief, came to the pot a little late and have not read the postings that fired you up, but I am sure I will and I have a slight inclination as to who it was.  Some folks need to remember that they have been on this earth for only a short time and the limits of their experience and knowledge shows in the posts they write.  Of course, some folks have been around for some time and never grew up either.  Either way, we can rise above it, ignore them and hopefully they will go away.

Dennis

[Anonymous]

Keith,

How about trains on a Corvair?   Here's a 1940 Lionel 2680 on a 1963 Corvair 927.  Enjoy!http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b7df27b3127cce80c7a3a940f200000016108AbNWjls3bub

Bruce Webster

[dbaker48]

Lots to comment on !

John (jefelectric), hope the family does well again this year at the farm fest!!

John (csxt30), that web site is really great.  Also added it to favorites.  Thanks

Dewey - I too ran one off the track, fortunately it was only the tender.  A MTH Big Boy lost control took off at maximum speed, by the time I got to the Emerg Power Switch, the tender was flung off, fortunately no damage.  (Thanks to the carpet)

1688 Keith - Glad you got the engine, What a diagnosis!  Sounds great!  Now I can't wait for it to get back.  Already have a display case picked out and waiting, of course it will be run though!  It's really a great testament to tell someone here is a 70 year old engine and look how it runs!  That will be great!  Need to talk to you about a "typical consist" for this engine, the ones I have are really ragged, you might know of someone or recommend what I might need for it,  Certainly would appreciate it.  Will call you next week.

Spent the day with the family had a great time.  I had to go to Temecula CA to give a presentation (70 miles away), so they went with me.  While I was doing the presentation they went through historic old town and antiquing.  Then we went to Ontario Mills Mall (1 sq mile) which is an outlet store mall, spent about 3 hours.  Teasing and joking.

Tomorrow going to a Great American Trainshow in Anahiem.  LOOKING ONLY, getting ideas (that's the excuse anyway).

See you all later...... 

 

[rtraincollector]

I got a question for you all . Well first things first Hi i'm normally hanging out in the model railroader forum and probally should be here seeing I mainly collect postwar lionel. I have a mixture thou of prewar to late 90's O gauge.

Anyway my question I have a set that basicly was customized by the TCA it was origianlly (guessing but pretty sure) 2677, 2679, 2680, & 2682 (gondola, Boxcar, Tank Car, Caboose) now its a Black Roebling Gondola, Napierville Junction Railway Boxcar, Magnolia Tankcar, and a Reading Caboose. my question how do I come up with a value on these for Insurance purpose.

I'm one that normally don't go into customizing our older trains I like them for what they are nand believe weathering and all disvalues them normally but I picked up this set cheap about 7 years ago give or take a year or 2 . Don't remember how much but believe it was less than $50.00 including a 1654 engine and 2689 Tender.  

 

Any help would be great.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was a cloudy and raw day in SE Indiana with temps in the 40s.  Went with my dad to the World's Greatest Hobby show in Indy (see comments in post started by Marxalot).  Went to the YMCA to do weights.  Former tenant cleaned out stuff so we have room in the lean to for car for Lucas.  Lucas had his girlfriend over and the four of us played euchre, which is another Hoosier tradition.  CSXt30,  I will have to check out this females and train reference.  Blueberry Hill, I just could not get to the dining car earlier this morning.  Chief, whatever is disturbing you I hope gets resolved, and I am glad TMCC man could provide backup.  To the Corvair guys, I saw a '54 beetle today that was in very good shape with no rust on it at all.  Nice!  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[1688torpedo]

 Bruce-  Your Corvair photo with the 2680 Tank Car does not show up. Don't know if the Forum or software is responsible?  Don B.- A typical consists for a 1688E from 1936 includes a 1679 Baby Ruth Boxcar with Brown Door's & Nickel Journel's, 1680 Sunoco Tank Car with Nickel Journel's & a Red 1682 Caboose with Cream/Yellow Trim around the Window's & some of the 1682s had a cream strip around the cupola on top & Nickel Journel's on the Truck's also.Other 1688Es pulled the 1690 series passenger Car's which included Nickel Journel Boxes on the Truck's & they were red just like the 1682 cabooses with Yellow/cream trim around the window's and Fish Bellies on the bottom's of the car's. Annother version of the 1690s were a peacock blue with two 1690s & a 1692 observation. The Red versions consisted of two 1690 pullman's & a 1691 observation. BTW- The 1679 Baby Ruth Boxcar's came in many variations that have to do with the Roof color. Some were peacock, Blue,Green,Green/w blue in it & a Green Color that resembles a Zest Soap Bar. Mike C- Chief enjoys the Japanese Beetles that can sing "Yellow Submarine" & "A Hard Days Night" Not sure if they're from 1954 though!. Take Care all.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a frosty 30 degrees. Going up to 50 today with maybe a few showers. Tomorrow is predicted with snow. Yuck. Then back up to 60 next week. Don't think I'll plant a garden yet.

Today is a slow day. I have a few things to do around here, then maybe run trains this afternoon. I got a DVD of " Black Sheep Squadron " and it has 6 episodes on it. I'm looking forward to watching it. I used to like watching that show on TV.

Well, the Dining Car has rolled in. " All Aboard ". Breakfast.

Y'all have a great Sunday.

Chuck

[mitchelr]

Don B.- A typical consists for a 1688E from 1936 includes a 1679 Baby Ruth Boxcar with Brown Door's & Nickel Journel's, 1680 Sunoco Tank Car with Nickel Journel's & a Red 1682 Caboose with Cream/Yellow Trim around the Window's & some of the 1682s had a cream strip around the cupola on top & Nickel Journel's on the Truck's also.Other 1688Es pulled the 1690 series passenger Car's which included Nickel Journel Boxes on the Truck's & they were red just like the 1682 cabooses with Yellow/cream trim around the window's and Fish Bellies on the bottom's of the car's.

 

Don B -  Here are photos of the cars that are in my 1688 set.  I know they are not the exact cars you need, but it will give you an idea.

FYI - Keith did some work on the e-unit on my 1688 and now it runs like a charm.

 

Dewey - I feel your pain.  I was so upset when I crashed my 2025 to the floor.  NOW when I run trains I am positive the lift gate is secured before I even turn on the transformer.  I have even taken to parking the locomotive on a loop of track leading away from the lift bridge. 

 

Not much going on here in G'burg.  Yesterday was a lazy day. I slept in the chair and watched football most of the day.  Couldn't believe the end of the Cowboys - Seahawks game.  Today I have to go to work for a couple of hours after church.  I am hosting a meeting in the AM and need to do some set up and clean up which I didn't feel like doing at 6:30 PM on Friday night when I finally left work.

I think it was Bruce Webster that mentioned he was repainting some pre-war. I have some repaint projects that I started. Hope to get some time to work on them this week.  I'll post some photos when I get them done.  Also haven't posted my new Lionel WM steamer.  I'd better get to work.

Take care,

Mitch

[Roger Bielen]

rtraincollector - First, welcome to the CTT forum and especially the Coffee Pot.  A good starting souce for pricing would be the Greenberg Price Guides.  Toward the back they have separate lists of items issued by various orginazations.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys. Mornin Blueberry hill. Sunny and pleasant in the mid-atlantic today.

DEWEEEEEY! - funny how things happen...  Mrs. fifedog was inspecting my progress on the layout.  Then she decided she wanted to run trains. Well, an errant toggle switch thrown here; then a misaligned track switch there; then two freights trying to occupy the same block; then the unmistakable sound of plastic and diecast hitting the floor. OH, and did I forget to mention the basement floor is not carpeted? If bad things happen in 3's, then I think you, me, and dbaker have fulfilled the proficy.

[ChiefEagles]

Morning.  Getting going slow this AM.  Clouding up and then turn cooler tomorrow.  Think I am going to fly into SNOW.   If not while I'm flying, after I get up Nawth.  I'll make sure that the plane spreads GRITS all over PA as I fly to Philly.   Have to have New England breakfasts which means no grits.  But, good old maple syrup.   Go to go for now.  Have a good one.

[spankybird]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is  30 deg with mostly Clear Blue Skies and some fog in the area. Yes Chief we see SNOW in our forcast for the next few days. Just what have you done now!

 

Mitch - what great look cars !

Here is a pic of the new diecast car I pic up. IT's a 1886 Benz powerwagon.

tom

[Nick12DMC]

Afternoon all, Been getting the Christmas dec's down today. left the loop of track we had round the tree out. I wonder how long Charlie and I can leave it set up before the "Management" tell us to put it away.

Have the county planning officer arriving on Tuesday for the second part of the planning application for our Garage/gamesroom. Should be intresting, first part has passed building reg's, code I believe you guys (and gals) call it.  

Have a good day

Nick

P.S. John B, Like your kind of survey That reminds me, I have over half a case of Anchor Steam Beer left from Christmas/New years........Hmmmm

[csxt30]

 Here is a pic of the new diecast car I pic up. IT's a 1886 Benz powerwagon.

tom

Good Morning Everyone !!

Tom : That's a real Beauty !! Looks live Live Steam !! All they had to do back then was make it 4 wheels & they would have had the first car !! I think !!

Well, looks like we may get snow this week, but at least Ohio will miss the Gritts !!

Mitch : nice cars !! I think you need that new set like Keith just got !!

Thanks, John

[tmcc man]

Good morning evryone,

Today is the day, Eagles vs. Giants. Hopefully we Eagles will come out on top. I saw the Seahawks game last night too. I thought they were done. I was wrong. I don't know how he could have dropped that snap.

Chief anything to help out a VALUED member of the forum.

Mithch beautiful cars.

Spankybird I love the Mercedes. Did you know Mercedes was the first car ever made. Ford was the first to make the assembly line, not the car.

[ChiefEagles]

Good Morning All from NE Ohio

where the temp is  30 deg with mostly Clear Blue Skies and some fog in the area. Yes Chief we see SNOW in our forcast for the next few days. Just what have you done now!

 

Mitch - what great look cars !

Here is a pic of the new diecast car I pic up. IT's a 1886 Benz powerwagon.

tom

Snow, always trying to help.