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

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

  27 and windy here today may get snow on Sunday.

Gearing up for big train show in Allentown on Saturday.

TGIF

Have a good one.

laz57

Laz, Be sure to save a little cash  for YORK!

 

Thanks JOHN for the advice.  Only looking for a NYC passenger set and people to populate the town along with some cool cars for a cheap price.  I'll let you know how it went.

laz57

[laz 57]

HI GIZ,

   15 and cold here to get dumped on tomorrow.

TRAIN SHOW TODAY IN ALLENTOWN.  Leaving in 20 minutes, I'll let YUZ GIZ know what was there.

No trains last nite, fell asleep in chair at 8:45.

Have a good one.

laz57

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 18 degrees. Going up to 40 today with more sunshine. The days are geting longer. Spring is coming.

Today, I will get a haircut and stop at the local store for a few needs. Then, I am going to do some clean up and tool organization in the train room. Maybe tke some pictures to post tomorrow. It is really fun, running trains over those two bridges. Looks good.

Buckeye....I hope you are feeling better today. Run those trains.

Chief....Get rid of that cold. Nice talking to you yesterday.

The Dining Car is early today. No stops at " points west ". Must be a late sleeping day.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[csxt30]

Good Morning Everyone !!  Sun is shining here, warming up a little.

Hope Buckeye is feeling better .  

Hope The Chief feels better too.  

Jim's daughter also.

Hope everyone has a nice day !!

Thanks, John  & don't forget to stop !!

                              

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Off to the store time.  Chilly and windy.  Highs only into the 50's today [they say].  TStorms tomorrow.  Might be some rough weather in Texas and SNOW in that Nawth.  Watched last part of the movie Greatest Show On Earth last night.  Lots of circus trains in it.  Big wreck at the end.  It was on TCM.  Don't remember seeing it much.  Do remember seeing it as a kid.  Hope the Buckeye is doing good.  Will check with Jim on Julia.  Elliot has refused cemo as only a 10% more chance of survival.  As far as "reoccurance", still 50/50.  Keep him in your prayers.

Later

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Good morning all

I hope all is well or on the mend.  Continued prayers for all those in need.

 Actually have a weekend off, one of two this month.  I hope to do some yard work, and start installing the gauges in my truck. Maybe some training later on.  Real nice outside.  Sunny and mid 30's.

Check back in later.

Jim 

[Jumijo]

Good morning from New England.

We took Julia to a Boston hospital yesterday. Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. She was checked out thoroughly and did not have to be admitted. Lungs do NOT have pneumonia, thank God! She does have a double ear infection, infected adenoids, and chest congestion. She was scoped, x-rayed, poked and prodded. A hearing test showed moderate hearing loss, but the good news on that is it's temporary. Never once has the little girl complained. We are lucky to live so close to Boston. It is one of if not the best place to get medical attention in the world.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your prayers and well wishes. Have a great weekend everyone. I'll see you all on Monday!

Get well, Buckeye!

Jim

[Buckeye Riveter]

Live from Roger's Corners, OHIO

It's Saturday Morning!!!!

Again, thanks to everyone for their emails, posts and prayers.  As of this posting, it seems everything has worked.  The Kidney Hospital is using a new form of anesthesia and it worked great.  In the past, the prep for the anesthesia affected me to the point where I would just shake in the gurney before the Lithotripsy (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A procedure using concentrated shock waves, which are similar to sound waves, to break up kidney stones inside the body.)   So far, I have only passed small grains of sand.  I have not observed pieces of the stone.  The stone was 8 mm and when they break it, you can see pieces of it about 2 mm.  I am still keeping my fingers crossed because if one of those pieces begins to move and it is too big, we may be calling the squad. 

Jim, I'm glad that Julia had a great check up.  Although living in the city is not my first choice, the medical care in Columbus is outstanding. 

And now for what you really want to read: 

10 Ways To Tell If a Southerner Is Working
At a Computer in Your Office

• 10. The mouse is referred to as a "critter."
• 9. The keyboard is camouflage patterned.
• 8. There is a Dr. Pepper can in the CD-ROM drive.
• 7. The password is "bubba."
• 6. The six front keys have rotted out.
• 5. "Winders 95" has a Dale Earnhardt sticker on it.
• 4. Outgoing faxes have cold drink stains on them.
• 3. John Deere Pocket Protectors.
• 2. The menus all have Dr. Pepper, and Royal Crown Cola options.
• 1. And the #1 way to tell if a Redneck works in your office: The monitor is up on blocks.

See ya down the tracks,

[Blueberryhill RR]

YEP......Buckeye is feeling better !!!!!!!!!!

[thatboy37]

happy to see you feeling better buckeye

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a grey and blustery Crystal Lake where I think the big ice storm passed to the north of us or maybe it is still coming... So glad Buckeye is getting better - may the same happen to Julia soon. Having guests for supper tonight - have to fix up the layout to show it off. I have tomorrow 'off' from working the services at church so I'm looking forward to lounging about reading the paper after the first service. Off to clean the house. Have a fine day!

[Anonymous]

Morning all!

Fureeezin' up here but at least the sun is cheery.  Ran the docksider some more yesterday with 15 various pieces of rolling stock, some scale stuff and some old traditional.  You can tell it labors a bit with all that weight behind it.  The upside is the smoke output due to the higher voltages required just to run it at medium speeds.  Even my K-Line smoking caboose puts out healthy amounts now.   I fear if I hook up any more cars to the consist I might tear the traction tires right off the little Docksider...and I'm starting to run out of rolling stock! 

 I thought it was a good time to experiment so I hooked up my old Lionel 201 to this consist and was pleased to find it performed equally as well.  Not bad considering it's age and the fact it has no traction tires. 

 Glad to hear you're doing well, Buckeye.  Monitor up on blocks!   LOL

Chief, I hope the cold gets better.  I'll also say a prayer for your coach buddy.

Jim, your daughter sounds like a real trooper.  Good to hear she's on the mend.

Take care all!

Bruce Webster

 

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Buckeye!  It's good to have the real you up and running!

jefelectric - I actually had researched the Steelton & Highspire to the point of drawing up a trackplan (as part of a bigger PORT Road layout).  Went to one of the Train shows in the Union Workers Hall in Steelton, and no one had any pictures or memorabilia from the joint.  Spent a whole year developing the layout plan and trying to gather pictures (Safe Harbor was to be the centerpiece), then went totally in a different direction (Sand Patch).  I still have the track plan; maybe someone will want it someday...

[Brutus]

Hope Julia, Chief and everybody else continues to improve.  Buckeye, glad to hear that you are doing better and things are working out.  TMCCMAN - sounds like you'll have a good visit with your grandad, with great food too!  Went over to some friends' house last night and played Blockus for a couple hours, then had to work today.  Might get some tain stuff done, but right now we are watching The Little Mermaid while my wife is out grocery shopping.  I think she's going to pick up Flushed Away on dvd.  Tomorrow, I've got plans to go see Ghost Rider, which looks pretty good, and maybe have some pizza with "the boys".  TTFN

[wrmcclellan]

Glad to hear the Buckeye is better and back to his old self.

Blasting wind here. Moderate temps - 65. Two shutters have been peeled from the front of the house. One appears unrepairable . The entire neighborhoods leaves are piling up in my yard. The wife says it looks like a West Texas sand storm.

Hope all have a great day.

[wrmcclellan]

Big dust storm here. Blocking out the sun.

Earlier clear skies after some rain this morning have turned dirty...

 

 

 

[tmcc man]

Good afternoon everyone,

I have had a good day so far. I was over at a few friends houses earlier, so I am getting ready for them to come up for dinner soon.

Roy, looks nasty where you are. Keep safe.

Buckeye, glad you are feeling better.

[1688torpedo]

Hello All!    Jim A- Glad that Julia does not have phenumonia.Hope she feels much better soon. Buckeye- Also glad that your situation was not as bad as it could be. Hope you're better soon. Roy- Thats not a dust storm in your photo- Looks more like a Grits Storm from a exploding silo or a Boxcar from Roseyville. Chief- Glad that your cold is better. You need some rest. Colin- It's nice that your Grandfather is staying with you. Does he have Train's also? Take Care all.

[jonadel]

We've had heavy rain all afternoon and it's starting to get ugly as the tree's and power lines are beginning to load up and of course the wind is howling.  We have not had a serious ice storm since 1990 and this one has all the trappings of a tough one.  Heavy wet snow should begin soon as the temps drop, almost hate to see night fall.  Hopefully we will keep our electricity, haven't lost it in the 17 years we've lived out here.

Need to go run some trains and quit looking out the window

Jon 

[jefelectric]

Mornin' boys.  Buckeye!  It's good to have the real you up and running!

jefelectric - I actually had researched the Steelton & Highspire to the point of drawing up a trackplan (as part of a bigger PORT Road layout).  Went to one of the Train shows in the Union Workers Hall in Steelton, and no one had any pictures or memorabilia from the joint.  Spent a whole year developing the layout plan and trying to gather pictures (Safe Harbor was to be the centerpiece), then went totally in a different direction (Sand Patch).  I still have the track plan; maybe someone will want it someday...

I had an uncle that was and engineer on the S&H.  I never took any pictures, even after I was old enough to have a camera.  Guess I thought it would always be there.  WRONG!

[jefelectric]

We've had heavy rain all afternoon and it's starting to get ugly as the tree's and power lines are beginning to load up and of course the wind is howling.  We have not had a serious ice storm since 1990 and this one has all the trappings of a tough one.  Heavy wet snow should begin soon as the temps drop, almost hate to see night fall.  Hopefully we will keep our electricity, haven't lost it in the 17 years we've lived out here.

Need to go run some trains and quit looking out the window

Jon 

Jon, We are to get something similar late tomorrow afternoon.  Hope it is not as bad as predicted.

Hope Buckey and Julia get back to 100% Very soon.

Ran trains for the 4 year old granddaughter this afternoon.  I had four trains going and she said "Run the blue one"  I answered that I can only run four.  Of course she asked "Why"  She really loves to watch them run.

Take care,

[cheapclassics]

Good evening all,

It is cold and rainy and snowy and absolutely miserable in SE Indiana today.  I hope Julia continues to improve and Chief and Buckeye get better.  Tmcc man and reggie, good to hear from both of you.  "Points West" did sleep in today and so the dining car only stopped at "Points East".  It has been busy around here.  Last night went to the early show for "Ghost Rider".  It is an excellent movie for that type of show.  I heard some of the comic purists may object to it, but we liked it.  After we got home, we watched "Close to Home" (with Reggie Miller in a cameo) and "Numb3rs".  Both were good.  We had the oldest daughter and the granddaughter and my dad and Lucas' girlfriend over for lunch today.  It was nice.  On the way down, the grandaughter was saying, "Emi (her name for my wife), Granddad, and trains!"  I ran the 384E for her today and had her blow the whistle.  We palyed UNO and Clue.  It was a good day.  I hope everyone has a good day.

Keep on training,

Mike C. from Indiana

[Roger Bielen]

Fairly busy day at the store this afternoon.  I'm glad to see a good number of teens and young uns interested in trains.  Also many elders looking to get back into trains.  When my wife and Granddaughters dropped off lunch there were a few customers in the store and I was glad when the 9 yr. old asked to run the display, I started the system and gave her the CAB-1, she demo'd for about 15 min..  I think it got a few folks thinking about TMCC starter sets instead of traditionals.

[CSXect]

Hey Buckeye that top ten list hits home here on the southside close to Grovetucky....and just what is wrong with Dr. Pepper????

Have you ever heard the song Franklin County woman? You and Cheif would enjoy it. It is part of the tucky transplants culture here in Columbus. There are quite a few People in the hood from Knott county Ky. I know this because sometimes they hand deliver the local paper there to our door because it was stuck to their copy of that paper.

To bring this post back to trains the woman nextdoor grew up in Amory Miss. in the railroad station where her step father worked for the Frisco.

By the way  okra will grow in Ohio very well if you plant the baby bubba varity.

[ChiefEagles]

Evening all.  About time to head for the hotel room.  Another slow event.  They haven't even sold trolling motors [they always sell them]. 

I see the forum's number one rascal [Buckeye] is doing better.  Glad he is doing OK.

Coach Buddy [Ben Onley] is not removing the fluid from brain area.  They are going to install a permanent drain to his stomach [???].  Then he will be able to retrun to normal life. OH WELL.

Hope all are doing OK and not stormed on. 

Store feed us pork bar-be-que and fresh fried flounder for lunch and then again at 4 PM.  Ate 6 pieces of flounder at 4 PM [after bar-be-que and flounder for lunch].

Microwwave popcorn time.  Goood night

[jefelectric]

By the way  okra will grow in Ohio very well if you plant the baby bubba varity.

I've grown okra many times in PA.  The growing season is fairly short so it doesn't require the long Southern summers.

[Sturgeon-Phish]

Evening all,

Jim I'm glad Julia is better; what she has sounds like something my grandson had; he ended up in the hospital due to dehydration.  She's on the prayer list

Buckeye, hope everything comes out OK and small!  Sounds like they found a good anesthesia for you.  Get the name and have them use it in the future.

Chief, sounds like Ben isn't out of the woods yet, still praying for him too.

Cleaned up the yard a little.  Worked mostly on installing the gauges on my truck.  Lines ran to gauges, and into engine compartment, ready to start tapping into intake manifold, exhaust and transmission for source taps.

Sleeting now, we'll see what happens overnight.  I did get some pictures for tomorow to post.

Later

Jim 

[Brutus]

Chief, that is really weird.  I worked with a guy who's daughter had a permanent shunt to drain fluid from the brain.  I hope things work out for your friend.  When you first described it, I thought he had a CVA (stroke).

[John Bakeer]

Virgin Trains had a crash Friday night one elderly lady fatality, twenty injured including driver/engineer who stuck to his post even though he had time to leave the cab, these guys are something else. Train was doing 95mph when it left the track. first reports are faulty switch. These Pendolinos are tough babies, not even a broken window although the running gear and the screw on external bits got trashed.

Put Lionel track together (it's very big in my small flat/apartment). Can't wait 'till April when I can get some power on (thanks again Nick). Been on the sites for the gadgets, every thing is available. I'm seeking a 120v 50cps/60cps rectifier (not much hope) in order to avoid the 12v DC intermediate stage, 230/115v transformers are used widely in construction here and high amperages are no problem. The slightly lower output voltage will only cause a small rise in current which should be well within the margins allowed by the design parameters. I'm already considering extra track for a siding. The base board will have to be open construction in order that the TV can sit in the middle (you lucky blighters over the pond with your wopping train rooms).  

Chief , glad your hand is mending and all you others with the Gorby-Ruttles, I hope you get relief. My RH mitt has had a relapse, only had 3hrs sleep (a lot of pain), it's 4 months since the Op' seeing the surgeon next week. Landlady at the Armoury has had to get the left handed drinking vessel out again for me.

     

[Nick12DMC]

As you say John, those Pendolinos are hard as nails. The floors and bulkheads use aircraft/motor racing composite construction. Now thats how you can stuff a F1 car into the crash barrier at 150 MPH and get out alive. Thoughts are with the ladys family and those who have been injured.

Lionel does have visual impact. I still can't belive the size of our Hellgate bridge! Charlie and I had it set up with two loops of track in the lounge. Managed to keep it there for about a month and then my better half reclaimed the room

There have been a few permanent layouts in CTT that are in a lounge/living room rather than a purpose built room.

Got the full working drawings for our Gamesroom/Garage so now have to get some quotes on block work etc.

Watched the movie Arthur last night on TCM. Cool lionel layout in his bedroom....my wife said "Don't even think about it!" LOL

John B,Hope the Mitt recovers.

Nick