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

[Jumijo]

Repainted wife's car's trunk today. The roof came out pretty nice.

Lots of eye candy moms at the kiddie birthday party. Time for something to eat.

[John Bakeer]

Doug,

Dell aren't top of the pops here, I get my ERNI fixed by a guy on the corner, haven't bought a new one in years, he just replaces bits/upgrades as required, a new pooter every year for a couple of hundred quid (double it for your currency). Just bought some new Train Sim stuff runs at 3gig, so I need a new processor (3.2gig) my existing one is only 2.4gig. Ahh technothingy!

Still steering clear of Vista, got a lot of gremlins to sort.

[Jumijo]

 

Doug, happy to hear that your daughter is going to be ok. Kids that age have so much to learn. Let's hope a lot was learned last night. Scary stuff.

Jim

[dougdagrump]

Afternoon All !

Boy, this has really been a week of Hi's and Lo's.

We had planned on celibrating our 42nd anniversary earlier in the week by going out to her favorite Italian Restaurant for dinner but something forced a cancellation. We both came down with some sort of creeping crud about 24hrs apart so we ended up taking turns cleaning out the PUKE bucket for each other. Oh well, like the Cubs fans say "There's always next year".

Doug M, Thankfully she wasn't hurt, but as said earlier maybe they will ALL learn something as a result.

We took THE grandson out to a pumpkin patch yesterday, he had a ball runnin' around looking at everything they had. Wasn't sure though about a pony ride so we skipped that but I thought we'd have to drag him out of the petting zoo. Chief will like this, when he saw the JD tractors they have he said "Poppa, just like mine !". Only his are by Little Tykes and a whole lot cheaper.

Now as a result of yesterday my back is absolutely killing me, he is only two but he can be a load to have to pick up at times. Poppa ain't gettin' a whole lot done today !

Another hi/lo this marvelous week:

 My new Dell PC came this week.

LinkSys doesn't have Windows Vista drivers for my existing w'less

           cablemodem/router/ethernet adapter.

Another less then supportive LinkSys bit of info it appears as though either the modem or the router, can't remember which, is not listed as being Vista supported.     

[John Bakeer]

James,

OK, lets put this thing to bed.

Can't wait for the power supply to arrive, stopping home Monday- Tuesday. Could see the Ashlar and Spen Valley RR in operation mid week. Will try and post a pic' later.

[Buckeye Riveter]

fifedog...Happy Sweedish Day to you too!

I don't know what he is talking about most of the time.

[fifedog]

Wes - Ok then. That last one kinda looks like a plate of linguini.  Your curent layout could be set up any train show/meet, and people would be glued to it.  That's what tells me you've really caught something there.  And I too love designing track plans.  Great stress reliever. 

[Wes Whitmore]

I hear you fife, but that original design is somewhat limited on what I can do since it's only one track.  Also, I can run larger trains because of the 031 curves.  Lastly, I have more space to work with than I had when I started.  I definately value your opinion though. 

Also, designing different tracks is a lot of fun right now.  I'm not great at variety though, so I post these to have someone make a suggestion that I didn't think of.

Thanks,
Wes

[fifedog]

Wes - First off, I really like your posts.  Second, (And I'm going to try and put this subtly as I can) your expansion plans (though very cool looking) are kinda like watching a SUPER MODEL gain 30 pounds.  Over the summer, I've enjoyed watching your videos and seeing your updates.  You have a really cool design already.  I like your idea of the yard off to the left, but man-oh-man, leave that original setup alone...

[Wes Whitmore]

Here is another one.  Let me know if you guys want me to stop posting these here in the coffie pot...

This one combines the smaller radius, high switching track with a 054 loop.  I'm really liking this one... 

Go Bucks!  I have tickets to the game today, and am getting ready to do down and "warm up" a little...

[fifedog]

cnw1995 - GEEZ LOUISE, Doug-a-roo!!!  You're going to be silver-haired in  6 months.  Fortunate that no one was seriously hurt.  In my experiences, you never want that "Knock on the door"...  Let's hope that your girl and her friends learn something from this...

[cnw1995]

Good morning from a sunny and warm Crystal Lake where I am readying to go on the 'Trail of History' with the boys - it's a hike deep into a prairie reserve full of re-enactors of our county's earliest days - trappers, single room schoolhouses, etc.

Got one of those alarming phone calls late last evening: the daughter was a passenger in a car that had an accident. This small car with four 16 years olds in it (illegal) just blasted into a collapsible barrier at the edge of a highway median after they were cut off. I thought of Buckeye: everything worked as it should: the barrier compressed, the airbags went off. Apart from bumps, bruises and a bloody nose, everyone was OK but the car was a write-off. The police will figure out who cut off whom. The daughter is still shaken up. Good thing I had grounded her from driving because my little car would've broken up. These sort of things put everything in perspective.

[sir james I]

A SUNNY COOL GOOD MORNING TO ALL,

John Bakeer-I understand your feelings about my handle but it goes all the way back to my childhood it was a nickname that stuck and I have used it as a "handle" for many things over the years. I have NEVER EVER said or implied its use in the British meaning. The Foresters here are intwinded with the HQ in Canada,they sell life insurance, we have meetings and outings, with donations to the needy. It's orgins are traced back to the UK.

With that done I will say no more about it. Subject closed from this end.

We are having family over for grandsons birthday,7th. I'm checking the clock to see if it's time for them to leave yet. But there not coming till one. I'm sure some of the boys will want to see trains today. Later,,,,,,,,Sir James

[ChiefEagles]

Morning all.  Thanks Fife.  I'll email the man at MTH.  What I expected from Mikey's crew.  BTW: several of my marine industry buddies are from Maryland and they say they are NOT Yankees.  Their forefathers were GRAY all the way.   Getting ready to go to the store.  It takes a while.  30 miles away.  The two good hotels there were booked and then they have three budget type [that I do not stay in].  They had big super rivalry high school football game and homecoming at the town where the store is.  Some rooms taken by that.  Traffic in the town was a nightmare last night and stadium packed.  Have a good one.  

BTW:  got email from Choochooauctions.com  Train City has purchased several big collections.  Got some great items on thier site and more to come.

[fifedog]

Mornin' boys.  Mornin' English.  Clear & 55 here in the Mid-Atlantic region.  Just read the past 3 pages;a lot of cloak-and-dagger goings-on...  Buckeye, if you decide to bring back an engine, I'd make it a DASH-9...NS wouldn't miss it from the 10,000 other DASH-9s.

YORK - I pulled onto the fairgrounds about 1040 hrs and walked straight to the Orange Hall and the CTT booth.  Buttons were GONE baby GONE!!!  I was greeted by Roger Carp (great sense of humor) and he introduced me to the new Editor, Carl Swanson.  We chatted for quite a few minutes, and I was impressed by how warm & friendly he is,and a YANKEE to boot. (Sorry Chief, Carl hails from Maryland). And I have to mention Ad man Dean Bennett, who seems to be the mischievious one of the bunch.  Met up with Brent and Mitchie for lunch about 1330, and then we went to the CTT booth for the gathering, at 1430 hrs.  One-by-one, Laz, Roy, Marty, jefelectric, 23, Dave, strolled on up.  We took some pictures, and had an impromptu Coffee Pot meeting in a dark corner by a waste bin.  Good to see these guys again. Both Lionel and MTH had huge good looking displays this show, with lots of demonstrations going on.

Chief - spoke with Andy Edelman (Mike's right hand man) about your switch problem.  He was totally unaware of the problem with the Realtrax switches,and he personally reviews all emails coming in for service.  Don't know what to tell ya.  They're simply not being bombarded with similar complaints, so it hasn't been addressed.

Phish - found 2 out of 3 of those mine cars (red & blue).

Contact Gary Clark & Laura Zase at [e-mail]  

Didn't pull the string on any blockbuster purchases this time around;actually spent more time socializing.  Did pick up 1)Trainman UP Hi-Cube boxcar 2)4 metal townsfolk 3) a 3-story three sided building (Coca-Cola) 4)5 jeeps 5)box of trees from Scenic Express...ANNNd (saved the best for last) 2 packs of the best looking wooden telephone poles I've ever seen from DM&M.  Didn't spend more than a C-note.  Drove home in a "leaf" storm.

Now, have to go to the supermarket for meatballs...it's SWEEDISH DAY, you know...

[Blueberryhill RR]

Good Morning from Blueberryhill....

It is a sunny 52 degrees. Sky is clear and it's going up to 70 today, with more sunshine.

Today is a busy day. I have some chores to do inside and outside. I have to finish putting away things for winter. I don't like that word. The only good thing about it is, I spend more time in the train room. And I need to do that. It's due for a cleaning again.

Ballgame tonite in Boston. 6th game. I hope they win. Go Tribe.

Nascar race tomorrow from Martinsville.

Dining Car is here and breakfast is ready...... Later.

Y'all have a great Saturday.

Chuck

[kpolak]

Afternoon.  Checking to insure that the Yanks are behaving.  I see they are doing as well as they can do.

Of course...all the Southern troublemakers are in Pennsylvania.

Kurt

[Nick12DMC]

Nick,

Further to my earlier post; I have found a UK/US transformer at Maplins, it's a fig.VR05 300VA auto-transformer which they assure me is up to the job. I have purchased one and DHL should deliver in a couple of days, total cost £34.99=$70.00. If it works? This could be the answer to all our PS problems (What's betting I've goofed??).

Lovely sunset over Stockport, dry and mild but frost forecast for tonight, may get to Chatsworth tomorrow-The Duke of Devonshires home. Now HE IS a real Sir. I don't like imposters!!! Change your handle James..........?

Hi John, As your set came with the CW-80 I think your going to have problems trying to run from a 50Hz source. The loco should run ok but you will find the whistle will sound all the time.

If you can switch off the whistle or disconected it that would solve that problem. However I have grave resevations on connecting any CW-80 to a 50Hz source. Lionel "designed" (I use the term loosely) to run on 60Hz only. The whistle and bell control circuit uses the 60Hz wave form for timing and this screws up, when run on 50Hz.

The CW-80 my son got with his first set was run on 50Hz when we first tried to run the set and the cooling fan failed pretty quickly. This is not good as the transformer core will get warmer when run on 50Hz. A chap over in France contacted me to say that he had run his CW-80 on 50Hz and disconected the whistle. He left the transformer on overnight by mistake and it melted . Thats not good.

You have two options as I see it.

1)  As the docksider has just a whistle and it does not have TMCC or Trainsounds. You should be able to run the docksider on 50Hz with a UK spec transformer/controller from Tennents Trains.

2) If in the future you want to try TMCC or Trainsounds equiped locos or use the CW-80 then there is the 12V DC to 120V 60Hz pure sine inverter route.  For a 300W unit this costs about the same as Tennents UK spec control unit (catch 22). There may be a cheaper option if you want to experiment? Chris (Of the Lionel Collectors Club UK) has run a CW-80 from a modified sine wave 60Hz inverter. It works ok, he uses it for accesories as he did not want to try expensive locos on it. However as the docksider is a basic loco this might work for you.

You would need the 230V to 12V DC 25amp power supply below

http://www.amperordirect.co.uk/products/300W-12v_Power_Supply.asp

And then a modified 60Hz sine wave inverter somthing like this

 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/150-W-Watts-Power-Inverter-Car-Lighter-12V-110V-120V_W0QQitemZ140158639171QQihZ004QQcategoryZ79816QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

 I can't be 100% sure that it will work but Modified sine inverters are a lot cheaper than pure sine.

Hope my ramblings help

Nick

 

[John Bakeer]

0900BST in a fine cold Stockport, going to Chatsworth to see the Autumn colours of the extensive woodland there it's a glorious sight, take some photo's too.

I don't know wether you guys have noticed but everything is on the back burner over here (England-France) as tonight (about 1300 EST) a gang of fierce men are going to knock hell out of each other chasing an oval ball around a field in Paris (it's a bit like your Football only tougher).

I'm not out to cause a quarrel, there's enough aggro' out there, but in order to preserve defference to the deserving I will drop the pre-fix James. I hope you understand. The Forresters are Freemasons (there are many orders) over here and as such are regarded as a secret society. On a couple of occasions I was asked if I would like to join the masons, however as they are Queen and God! And myself being an Athiest and Republican I had to decline. (Being nice tollerant people they would have thrown me out anyway.) I am now of course black listed!

[Brutus]

Sir J - yeah, when I first heard about it, it was direct through Lionel only.  About 2 days after I ordered it, they started advertising for sale at regular stores and the price was a little lower!  If you do sell one, be sure to tell folks that it won't pull 3 passenger cars very well - the cars are too heavy or the loco is too light.  Take your pick.  It will pull the tender and 2 passenger cars pretty well though!

This weekend, I'm working 5 hours OT and then working on the Halloween layout.  Also need to do a little more wiring in the basement and mow that lawn.

[Blueberryhill RR]

Chuck, did I tell you that next weekend the big raid is planned into NC? 

I knew it was in the planning stages, but did not know the date. Is this a top secret operation ? If so, send me a coded message thru Security lines.

[Buckeye Riveter]

Chuck, did I tell you that next weekend the big raid is planned into NC? 

[sir james I]

Hi Brutus- I remember how you wanted the BFC and did not want to wait,just tormenting you a little. Actually I did not think this store was going to order any, but when folks found that LHS could get them they came in asking for them and I don't think with two left he would ship them out. He likes to take care of his regulars first. I did pretty good at the store sold two more sets today plus the usual misc.,glad you liked the ice cream.  ,,,,  Sir James

[Brutus]

Thanks Sir James! That Butter Pecan really hit the spot!  Sorry, but I think I ate a whole quart!  !  On the BFOC, just remember - it's not the size of your train, it's what you do with it!    Sorry, couldn't resist that one!

Doug M - very sad to hear about Joey.  You're right, that's about that, it's the end of an era.  My wife has a cd set of a concert they did here in St. Louis back in the day and it's hilarious.  It was a benefit thing and a small venue and the boys basically just cut up and have fun through the whole thing.

BTW: I was given a nickname at work a few years ago that I rather liked -- Sir Grantsalot!   I kinda like it, but not sure if it was meant to be a compliment

Hope all are having fun at York!  Keep us posted on your deals and get togethers folks!

[dwiemer]

Good evening everyone!

Hope this finds everyone well and happy.  The whole household has some "Crud" of one sort or another.  Trouble with kids in school, they bring everything home.  Not much to report regarding trains.  I will have some news in a few weeks, but can't divulge yet. 

The movie set is fun.  Everything is coming together.  It is amazing how much work goes into every scene.  I have some ideas for making some train related movies, but that will have to wait.

Take care and I will try to catch up later.
Dennis

[ChiefEagles]

Evening.  In the room.  Hotel is big convention center and etc.  Place is full of LSU folks.  Good night.

[Jumijo]

Evening all. I'm bushed. Almost fell asleep in my dinner tonight. Can't wait to go to bed. But the kids are watching a movie, so I have to wait for it to end.

I worked on Brent's tender shell today. I put the mold on his shell and molded a replacement for the missing area. I'll let it cure for a day or two before handling it. I was going to clean up his vista dome's trucks and wheels tonight, but I'm too tired.

Managed to get a long walk in at lunchtime in the parking garage. I wonder what the guards think when they see me walking past the security camers time after time.

It's pouring out up here. Supposed to rain hard all night and be clear for the weekend.

Kid's birthday party to attend tomorrow...oh, for joy...

 

[Buckeye Riveter]

Good evening from Buckeyeland, where last night we were hit was some heavy wind, but our good friends in Indiana and Michigan bore the brunt of some ferousious storms and tornados.  Not fun.

Haven't had much time with the trains.  Maybe tomorrow.  Need to post the photos/videos of the layout with Phase III track in place.   

My fishing buddy moved to Alabama.  Won't be the same.

Take care,

[sir james I]

EVENING ALL,

Boy work a couple days and now I read from here, three people gone this week .Whats going on?

John Bakeer,UK-I am not an imposter I was born in the USA am not a british subject and have no quarrel with you.WE have enough trouble with the chief and those other rebs.However for reasons that go back over 50 years I have used that handle and I do not plan on changing it after all this time.sorry. If you choose not to talk to me that is your choice. I doubt if it would help if I told you I belonged to the forresters...but I do.

Brutus I have Vanilla and butter pecan, belly up to the bar. Oh I was wrong about the price of the BFC it is $319.95 not $329.95

[Blueberryhill RR]

Afternoon.  Checking to insure that the Yanks are behaving.  I see they are doing as well as they can do.

How do you like Cajun Grits ??