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

[Anonymous]

I'm a FORD GUY, but what a GREAT finish to that race.  At least EARNHART didn't finish, wrecked another one.

laz57

I was beginning to feel like I was the only Ford guy!  Nice to know that I am not the only one.

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It was sunny and cold in SE Indiana with temps in the 20s today.  I watched the Daytona race today and saw where Harvick got the "call".  Can some one tell me how one car running by itself managed to pass all those cars on the last lap in a restrictor plate race?!?!?  My wife and I went to the YMCA and watched "Reba".  Lucas, my wife and I played Clue and some cards last night.  It was nice, just the three of us.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[wrmcclellan]

That stinks - wish Martin had won. Would have been a great way to cap a career. At least as compared to last year he was able to get out in front and stay there.

John - I don't know about rules today - but quite some years back it did not matter how you crossed the finish line as long as it was just the driver and his car - even if the driver pushed it. So as long as he tripped the lights - it should count. If he gets that credit - that is what makes racing great!

Mike C - nice evening you had there. It is hard to have one of those around here with a 13 and 15 year old. Everything is at fever pitch around here lately. The 13 year old lives on the edge with his perks. Today he risked all his electronic stuff in a showdown about finishing homework (laid around all day avoiding it). Gave him an ultimatim - get it done or do without.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  Got home before dark.  Unusual for me.  Flew home with lots of Mickey's little friends.  One cried just about all the way.  Wife had HOT soup waiting.  We watched a couple of movies and both went to sleep.  Hitting the bed.

Quit following the NASCAR thing.  Not like it use to be.  Who is [or was] the red headed guy?  He's a real AH!!!!!!!!!  I was at Charlotte for time trials several years ago [Rick Hendrix use to invite me].  Guy was yelling at his crew and would not talk to fans [was real rude to them].  Spent most of his time in his trailer.  Other drivers were signing autographs and talking to fans.  Several of us "old" guys were talking about NASCAR changes this weekend in Florida.  I remember when they were stock cars.  Had to be production cars [you could work on the motors].  I remember when Dayton was raced on the beach and streets.   Now just a frame of tublar steel and sheet metal.  Hey, I've driven on Charlotte Motor Speedway!!!  What a steep bank!!

Good night all.

[dougdagrump]

John, Thanks for the referral. Not to crazy about their choices for music, however I really liked the "Cattle" sounds board. I might start looking for a few cattle cars. After looking thru their application notes, track power with mercury switches sounds relatively simple, whenever the car bounces or goes around a curve the cattle would start making noise.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Chief, I'm curious as to who you are refering to "red headed guy"?  As to the "stock cars" thing, you're dead on.  But, the new Car of Tomorrrow they will be racing will be closer in styling with the production cars, and they will hit the tracks this spring at Martinsville.  Looks like the manufacturers will be dropping the Monte Carlo and Charger nameplates in favor of the Impala SS, Avenger, Fusion and Camry.

[cheapclassics]

Good morning all,

It is sunny and warming up into the 30s today in SE Indiana.  We watched Desperate Housewives last night.  I had some bran muffins this morning before I sent the dining car to "Points East".  Hopefully, I will be playing some indoor soccer tonight.  Thanks for the comment, Roy.  Those electronic demons could be the ruin of all of us.  I have tried to interest the kids in trains, but it seems to have only stuck with the middle child.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a clear 21 degrees. Going up to 37 today. Wow. Heat wave. We had snow for 2 days. About 2 inches were added to what we had.

Today, I have a few things to do around the house. I have some paperwork to do and mailings. Wife is going out to lunch with her niece. So, it will be quiet for awhile. I might get down to the train room, later, to clean up a little. Needs some organization.

Dining Car is here from " points west ". Time for breakfast.

Y'all have a great Monday. Spring is coming.

Chuck

[dwiemer]

Good Morning Everyone (Y'all),

     finally off call and looking forward to a few days away at the meeting.  Rick, won't be able to take in Jacksonville, She Who Must Be Obeyed has decided we are heading to Chattanooga instead after the meeting.  Only 10 more miles than if we had gone to Valdosta.

     I actually ran trains yesterday.  I also won a auction for a copper range docksider NIB for $65.  Now I need to get some ore cars and a caboose and we will be set.  I may be able to take in some train action up in Tennessee, we shall see.

     Hope everyone has a great day,

dennis

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   Cold here at 11, to get to 31?  Then rain tomorrow?

I have the dreaded parent teachers conferences today.  Good thing is I get to go in at 1 PM, bad thing is got to stay til 830.

  Have a good one.

laz57

[Anonymous]

Good morning all, well I'm bummed out; not as much as I was yesterday but I'm suffering from some "Tony Stewart Got Wrecked in the 500" hangover.  I gotta admit that the finish was spectacluar, just wish that photo finish had the #20 crossing first.  grrr

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !!  Glad it 's warming up later today !  I think we will be shoveling snow away from the garage doors where it piled up, before it melts & goes inside. Not looking forward to that .

Laz : today is a holiday & you're working ? !  I'll run a train just for you !!

I just changed a knuckle on an old K-line engine ! That was easy !! Plus it even works !! That was our first set when my boy was only 2. I lubed it up too, it's about 15 years old now & still runs great.

Well, now to run down the dining car !!

Hope everyone has a nice holiday today !!

Thanks, John  

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Expenses to do.  Got Town Meetings all afternoon and Mended Hearts tonight.  Fife, you live near Martinsville VA?  Owners of Angler's Choice Marine are friends of mine.

AH, NASCAR driver's name comes to me.  Readheaded, DAAH, Rusty Wallace.  Real AH.

Need to run trains before the 1 PM meeting.  Warming here they say.  Was a real blasting wind last night.  Chat later

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good morning from Buckeyeland!  We have clear skies and a bright sun.  Even with our cold temperatures we have seen the sun more this winter than most.

I haven't been doing much train work since I have been getting the new computer up and running.

Today is President's Day.  In honor of President's Day, the wife is serving steaks tonight for supper along with my birthday cake. 

Have missed most of the recent discussion on the pot. 

See ya down the tracks,

[csxt30]

Buckeye !! Gees, I hope your present from The Chief arrives on time this year !!

Thanks, John

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny but windy Chicago where Buckeye's birthday is being celebrated by giving most everyone a day off -

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Happy Birthday Buckeye!

Off for a whopping 22 hours before starting night shift.  I may work in installing the "new" coaler today, between working on papers for class. 

It is beautiful out.  Clear and sunny, but cool, mid 20's.  Talking about in the 40's by the end of the week.  That would be great as my cars are white with salt.

Later

Jim 

[tmcc man]

Good morning everyone,

It is a cold day here. I am going bowing later with a bunch of people, and it will be good time.

Buckeye happy birthday.

I hope everyone has a good day.

[mitchelr]

Happy President's Day and Buckeye.  Off today, dreaded parent conferneces tomorrow.  Going to shop with the Mrs.  may have lunch out.  Wish that Mark Martin would have won the race.

[wrmcclellan]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUCKEYE RIVETER!

I agree that is very nice that the US Government called a holiday today in your honor. Unfortunately for all of us the cover charges hit on April 15th.

Going to be 70 today! Sunny! Lot's o' wind from the SOUTH. If you guys up north are nice to us - we'll send some your way!

Have a great day all!

[ChiefEagles]

OH NO!!!!  He made another one.  This is 101 isn't it?  and many more old Buddy.

[Roger Bielen]

Buckeye

Talked to the son-in-law yesterday and asked "for next Christmas do you think the boys would prefer a steam enginge or a diesel?"  Didn't ask if they could have one, no choice in the matter.  After a "gee I don't know" I asked what would Daddy prefer and he replied "a traditional engine."  So it'll be a steam engine.  I don't think he had any trains as a boy, his Dad passed away when he was young and he was raised by his Mom and older sister.

Reason I wanted to know so early is we have one UP starter set left with the Berk. that I'll put aside for myself before the new stock comes in and prices go up.

[csxt30]

Roger : looks like you may be building even another layout now !!

Look at the car I just won on E-bay !! It's a Home Depot custom painted gon !! They even had a boxcar like it, but I only bid on this one ! 

Thanks, John

[John Bakeer]

Hi Dennis,

My Lionel starter set is the Copper range with 0-6-0 loco, 4 cars, caboose, 60X40 loop of track and CW80 controller.   Got it from Grzyboski for $159.00 plus carriage, that made it $300.00 (that hurt). The cost and complexity of powering it up is making my wallet shake with fright.  

Happy thingy Doo-da;    

[fifedog]

BUCKEYE - Here's hoping you get the PRESIDENTIAL treatment (a.k.a. pizza & cigars )

CHIEF - you threw me off when you said Hendricks Racing. (Rusty never raced for that team).  And I've heard that claim about him before.  I'm about 6 hours drive up 81 from Martinsville, and have never been to that facility. I wouldn't mind sitting up in the nosebleed section of their backstretch though...you can watch the race in front of you, and watch CSX right behind you!

[dwiemer]

Well, a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BUCKEYE!!!!!!!!!!!  I am surrounded by things as old as you..we call them TREES!  Just kidding.  Hope you have  a most enjoyable day and that your are blessed.

Went by the place to get some new sneakers put on my car.  $880.00 for 4.  That is a good bit of pocket change that could have gone to a nice engine.  Anyway, they have me down for 3pm so we will swing by there. 

Otherwise, not much happening down this way.  Temp is about 60 and sunny.  We have some packing to do for the trip.  Hope everyone has a great day, and especially BUCKEYE.

Dennis

[Wes Whitmore]

Happy Birthday Buckeye!

I hope you got something cool.  Maybe your train station.

Wes

[Blueberryhill RR]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BUCKEYE !!!!!!!

Wow....you are almost as old as the Chief !!!!!!!

[jonadel]

Happy Birthday Buckeye, I hope The Ohio State Marching Band shows up on your door step to serenade you, how cool would that be

 Just as important--Happy National Engineer's Week, you make our country better!

 Jon

[Nick12DMC]

Happy birthday Buckeye Hope you got some nice trains

John B, It could be worse. Some guys in the Lionel Collectors Club UK priced up using a inverter about 6 years ago. They abandoned the idea because at the time the bits needed cost over £500!

Its only in recent times that the price has droped to around £140 for the whole setup. Still doesn't make it any easier on the wallet. 

You might be able to find a inverter cheaper on Ebay but the Amperor power supply is serious value at £39 (best bang per buck).

If you get stuck or if I can be of help drop me a email.

Nick