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The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est. 2004 Locked

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Posted by PennsyHoosier on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 7:12 PM
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Posted by PennsyHoosier on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 7:16 PM
Lawrence, The Pennsy Hoosier
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Posted by egmurphy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 7:20 PM
Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Miracle of miracles, I actually made some progress on the layout today. I’m into making hills out of foam. Right now I’m cutting and gluing chunks to fit around the raised portions of the ‘cookie cutter’ foam from the original base. Hope to actually start carving tomorrow or Friday.


QUOTE: Elliot:
… The thing about Lionel is that the purists will always thumb their noses at it, while kids and the older crowd tend to like it for different reasons…
Yeah, kids love it! And kids my age remember their youth and their first “electric trains”. [:D] Good luck trying to convert the purists.


QUOTE: Noah:
… I’m putting my money for number 10,000 on May 1st, ….But what do we get if we win the pool?
Gotcha. The prize is a personal guided tour of the trolley museum up near Brantford, Ontario. (Airfare, taxes, govt fees, hotel, ground transportation, meals, tips and local transfers not incl). [}:)]

As usual, update on who has what date tomorrow in the a.m. edition.


QUOTE: Duke:
… I hope I haven't caused any problems for the coffee shop with my outburst earlier.
Nah, don’t worry about it. My tongue is bleeding from biting it so hard, so I’m glad a few of you made comments. I just try to subscribe to the “Do not feed the Trolls” school of forum posting.

Btw, one of the great train watching spots (at least from the point of view of the setting) has got to be that long trestle approach to the railroad bridge across the Mississippi just east of the New Orleans airport. I’m not sure how often trains cross, but it’s a sight to see several diseasels pulling a long train up that long approach.


I forget who asked about an N scale SW-9 the other day, although I think it was TrainsRMe. I have found an N scale SW1200 made by ConCor, which is virtually identical to the SW9 (disclaimer: rivet counters and prototype modelers will recognize that they are close but not identical). You can see them at the following link. Switcher is on sale for $30.
http://www.con-cor.com/instock/nsw1200.htm


Okay, that's about it for now. let's see, should be about time for our nightly outpouring of posts. I'll see how far behind I am tomorrow morning.

Hasta Mañana,

Ed


The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
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Posted by Big_Boy_4005 on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 7:42 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by egmurphy



QUOTE: Elliot:
… The thing about Lionel is that the purists will always thumb their noses at it, while kids and the older crowd tend to like it for different reasons…
Yeah, kids love it! And kids my age remember their youth and their first “electric trains”. [:D] Good luck trying to convert the purists.



Yeah Ed, maybe I should change my name to Don_Quixote_4005. Now if you'll excuse me, I see some nice windmills over there.[swg]

Actually, as I have matured, my taste in model railroading has shifted away from the toy, and toward realism, and operation. The problem is I am still using 3 rail track. That is where the stigma exists.
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Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 7:43 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

Originally posted by grayfox1119

.

Interested to read about the Canadian Lancaster - I recall reading that there's only two airworthy examples left, this must be the other one (there's one over here in the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, along with a few Spitfires and Hurricanes - this small fleet of historic aircraft was set up as a memorial to the aircrew involved in the battles of 1940, "The Few" as they became known). Not sure what bomb sight they had but I'm pretty sure it wasn't the Norden (as I understand it this was only fitted to US-designed aircraft). I know later on they were fitted with assorted early radars and other guidance systems (did an assignment on WW2 British "RDF" as Radar was then known for A-level History and have been interested ever since).

Hi Matt VRA is indeed the other flying Lanc it is a Canadian Avro (Victory Aircraft) built machine she's been flying since late 1987. Of intrest there is another B1 Lanc being restored in Alberta Nanton Museum they are hoping to get theirs at least able to taxi if not fly as well. Last I heard they were about 60% restored. Also in the historic aircraft theme the air museum at Canadian forces base trenton(Ontario} is restoring a Handely Page Halifax bomber as well. This won't be flyable though. Rob
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Posted by SilverSpike on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 8:43 PM
QUOTE: Ed,
Btw, one of the great train watching spots (at least from the point of view of the setting) has got to be that long trestle approach to the railroad bridge across the Mississippi just east of the New Orleans airport. I’m not sure how often trains cross, but it’s a sight to see several diseasels pulling a long train up that long approach.


You must be referring to the Huey P. Long Bridge, the longest RR bridge span in North America! Here are a few of those railfan spots:

East Approach 1


East Approach 2


Link to other sites on the bridge:

Official info on the bridge - http://ludb.clui.org/ex/i/LA3141/

Mike Palmieri's LOUISIANA·RAIL·SITE - A HISTORY OF THE HUEY P. Long Bridge -
http://lrs.railspot.com/h-huey.htm


- Ryan


Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

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Posted by egmurphy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 8:43 PM
Rob,

Forgot to mention in my previous post that I saw your comment regarding Ian Tyson and Canadian folk music over on the "What are you listening to" thread. I've been an Ian Tyson fan since I was in college. Of course back then ('64 - '68) it was still Ian and Sylvia. That was real folk music. Since he went his own way he's much more into a Canadian/US western theme. He writes most of his own stuff, so I don't think you could really call it folk music anymore. I like both their earlier stuff (I even have a few that were issued as CD's) and all his later stuff. He's got a new album that ought to be released very shortly.

Oh yeah, I light Lightfoot too! [{(-_-)}]


Regards

Ed
The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
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Posted by egmurphy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 8:47 PM
QUOTE: SilverSpike:
You must be referring to the Huey P. Long Bridge, the longest RR bridge span in North America!


Precisely! Great shots by the way, taken from a much better vantage point than I ever achieved. On a couple of trips over there, when I had time to kill before catching the plane, I'd park in that shopping mall across the street and see if i could catch a train going up the approach.

Regards

Ed

The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
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Posted by der5997 on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 8:59 PM
Good evening coffee shop people:

?& Ed & Tim, Bob:
QUOTE: I hate to hear about Pampas George. Loosing a pet by any means is bad. But letting them suffer is worse. My thoughts are with you, and I raise my glass of Ed's best OJ to you, Pampas George!
Thanks to all for your thoughts. It was a surprisingly sad time, especially as we’d been expecting it for a while. We are going to hold a wake when our daughter comes on the 13th, and there will be a will to read, disposing of PG’s stuff to her cat, and to our nieghbour’s the food dish and a can of food to the food bank as a charity clause[(-D]

QUOTE: My heart was only half in it. A big part of doing a show, is talking with the people. There were times where I found it hard to smile.
Elliot, thanks for doing the show anyway on behalf of all those who got pleasure from it. I think what Fergie said about having fun is important in this kind of thing.

Robert:
QUOTE: Attention: Jim (jhhtrainsplanes) won't be with us for awhile. His computer has quit working for good. Just thought I'd let everyone know.
If you have a snail mail address, or a phone # could you email me please?
Also, like both your new paint schemes. The Valley one is simple and effective.

Ed:
QUOTE: Nah, don’t worry about it. My tongue is bleeding from biting it so hard, so I’m glad a few of you made comments. I just try to subscribe to the “Do not feed the Trolls” school of forum posting.
[#ditto]

TrolleyRob & Matt:
QUOTE: Der, the Norton sight was standard equipment on US aircraft, but I'm not aware of it having been fitted to British aircraft. I've seen B-17s and B-24s in the air, but never a Lanc. Sure would like to.

QUOTE: Of intrest there is another B1 Lanc being restored in Alberta Nanton Museum they are hoping to get theirs at least able to taxi if not fly as well. Last I heard they were about 60% restored.
Been there, seen that[^] Pardon my ignorance BTW regarding the Norden (Norton was my guess). I was working off a fading memory of a film about WWII spies trying to get the secrets of the thing. Must have been a US film[(-D]

Got to go, as it’s bed time yet again. Goodnight all, and God Bless

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

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Posted by SilverSpike on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 9:02 PM
Ed,

I used to work at a hospital that is right next to the span, and I frequently drive near there often. There is a great bicycle path that follows the river levee on the East bank side of the river and passes right under the span; our family has passed under it many times on our bikes. The path starts at Audubon Park and goes for about 20 miles up the river levee. There are actually fewer occasions when you don't see train activity on the span. Seems like there is always some consists going either way.

Thanks,

Ryan

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
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Posted by Paul W. Beverung on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 9:37 PM
Evening all; Well, as I expected no snow. It never did get cold enough.

Fergie; What kind of deal did you have in mind? By the way I think that the Lanc had a leak on the way down. Mary Ann said that you had better get the pink spots off her black cows.

Elliot; I know how the shows can get to you. Hang in there.

No mrring in the last couple of days. Been to interested in the boob tube. There is a GATS show this weekend. Since it's going to be in the convention center just a few blocks from where I work, so since I'm working Saturday, I'll stop in after work. I'll see if my son wants to go. If he does I'll go back Sunday. I've got a pretty good bank roll this time.

It's time for bed so I'll say Good Night.

If we keep going that 10,000 mark will be not too long in coming. It took me some time to get through the added pages. To top that off some times while I'm writting my post another page will be added.

Paul

the Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern

" The Superior Route '
Paul The Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern " The Superior Route " WETSU
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Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 9:58 PM
Evenin' y'all, hows it goin?

LilRob: Nice paint, somehow the yellow handrails really set the switcher off.

PennsyHoosier: Nice, real nice

Noah: Good question, I was wondering what we get too.

Ed: Nice prize, be even etter if you took off the disclaimer part though.[:D]

Duke: I believe anything you said was justified by the unjustified comment posted by BiggieSmalls.

BiggieSmalls:[zzz]

SilverSpike: Nice shots you got there.

Got in a little late tonight, mom teaches kindergarten, and tomorrow is 100 day. We had to make ZipLoc's with 100 froot loops each for every student in Calumet School grades K-6 (104 to be exact). Not fun, believe me.

Looks like it's about time to go, gotta go to school tomorrow,
Greg
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Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:04 PM
Good evening coffee clubbers I just caught up with the latest 4 pages[:0][:0]It's going to be ruff the next couple of days I'm working strait ti Sunday and on Sunday I'll be doing some full size modelling at the museum were reasembling the trucks for our snowplow and replacing the roof on one of our long term restoration projects[:)]We have to have a couple more cars operational for our 10,000th post winner[8)] Der I'm sorry to hear about george as well. A good friend of Heather and mine's cat Nermal just passed recently as well,he was 17. Dave had had him since he was a kitten,and was needless to say fairly upset. Mind you he went to the SPCA for a replacement and two little black kittens walked up to him and rolled onto their backs just like Nermal and well he now has two cats, Hogan and Hilda so life goes on.(Yes Dave is a big Hogan's hero's fan)[:)] Ed glad you saw that post I do like Ian and Silvias music as well BTW have you listened to Great Big Sea a wonderfull Newfie group I've been luckey enough to see them in concert twice they are worth a listen. Rob
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Posted by grayfox1119 on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:13 PM
Good evening gents....an empty coffee shop again tonight, I guess everyone was watching the state of the union address on TV.

Duke: Where did you see the "cloud" kit at HD, in the paint dept? I have never seen anything like that, but I sure will look for it the next time I go there. Thanks for the tip.

I watched a great train DVD tonight, it was all about the Maine Central Mountain Division in the 50's ans 60's. The Mountaineer which ran from Boston's North Station all the way through Crawford Notch NH, and on to St Johnsbury, VT. It showed great double headed steam action carrying freight up the 600 foot rise from Bartlett to Crawford Station. The shots all along the mountain ridge is really great, and a modelers dream to build.

Much to do tomorrow, better hit the sack, good night all,

Dick If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got!! Learn from the mistakes of others, trust me........you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself, I tried !! Picture album at :http://www.railimages.com/gallery/dickjubinville Picture album at:http://community.webshots.com/user/dickj19 local weather www.weatherlink.com/user/grayfox1119
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Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:14 PM
Robert I like the paint schemes good colour choices and they are belevable as well.[:)]Before i got hog wild into trolleys I had a free lance layout called the Great lakes system I used GP38's and 40's (the old atlas ones with the Austriwn drives) I had two colour schemes Solid C&O enchantment blue bodies with imitation gold letter's and numbers( the road name was spelled out on the longhood in railroad roman) and I used chevy engine red with the imitation gold for a couple as well. Both the red and blue paint schemes had yellow nose warning chevrons as well. Sorry no pictures it was before I thought of photographing my equipment and of coarse when I switched to traction and first gen CN/CP steam and diesel I sold off the modern equip. talk to you soon. Rob
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Posted by JimRCGMO on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:29 PM
Good Evening, Coffee Clubbers (now that the State of the Union address is over and all the - blah, blah, blah - comentators are droning on)!

A cup of mocha tonight, please, and I'll take one of those donuts from this morning (more than one "dunkin' donut"... [;)]). Looks like a lot of CC'ers are already on their way out - I might have seen someone's dust still settling in the lot as I came in (was that you, Ryan?).

Maybe we should modify that saying to “Feed a cold, OJ a fever to death”? Ed could move some of those abundant oranges out (and find out how tall the trees really can be without all that weight on 'em! [;)] )

Actually, Ed, at the rate people are posting (and even posting which day they think will be *the* one), maybe that suggestion someone (Teffy?) had of a March date isn’t completely impossible. [:)] And a [tup] for Ian (with/without Sylvia). I first started listening to Ian when they were together back in my early college days. Know some Lightfoot tunes and can totally mess up ‘Little Beggerman’ on the guitar (more so on my worse days). [;)]

Elliott, just make a great layout display and remind yourself of how tickled (pink?) you were the time you saw your first layout, as you build the next layout. Doesn’t have to be as large as Mall of America, just a good one that makes the new folks tingle with the excitement and fun that MRR’ing can be. My [2c]

Hopefully for *** and our Northern brethren, that next storm won’t drag much wet/white stuff back in from the Atlantic. Little Phil’s shadow notwithstanding.. (no, I don't mean Philrunt or Flip!)

Glad my memory worked for you, ***. Send us pics once you get the backdrop ‘finished’, okay? Actually, I think Tim’s making the largest amount of progress on his layout - but then again, from what I’ve seen, some of the rest of you have much larger layout spaces (though still ‘not big enough’, right? [;)]) But I think you get the award for best volume purchases at your local HD, from all the trips you’ve recounted here. I hope your HD has at least considered giving you a volume discount. [;)]

Plus, just think of those 5 gallon buckets as your upper torso and arms workout. [:)]

Dave, hope you’re feeling better soon - do the chicken soup, vaporizer, or whatever steps it takes to get you up and at ‘em again.

Sorry to hear Jim H (the other Jim, not my alter ego [;)]) is offline for a while. Maybe he can find a library every so often and help us keep track a little bit with how he’s doing. I know our local library has internet access if you have a library card.

Ryan, maybe you can poach a couple of gators and have gator steaks next week here! [dinner] Do your gators do like the Florida ones and go after dogs in your yards?[}:)]

Teffy, don’t pout - as my grandmother used to say, it might get stuck that way! [swg] Ah, I see your date on the 10K post is still available - go for it! [:)]

Luc, hope your CFO’s swelling and numbness go down and she’s feeling better ASAP. I hear root canals rank at the bottom of most people's lists.

Thanks, Duke and Ed. Did some more hunting today on the vehicle front.

Duke, your abbreviation (DOC) can mean other things to some people (for example, in Missouri, our prisons are run by the Department Of Corrections, and in treatment centers they talk about Drug Of Choice for an addict)... Just FYI - I’m sure you were referring to medical help, right?[:)]

Nice pics of the engines, Robert - Like the Gulf & Midwest one, too. Are the stripes white or a (light) yellow? Couldn’t tell for sure. I’d think yellow would have a bit more punch to it (my [2c]). Are you not going to use your VB logo? I thought that was really good when you posted it.

Noah, I didn’t figure you were an undercover F.E. officer. [;)] But you did have a point that those of us using cable or DSL sometimes forget, since I do recall the days of modems. Heck, I still recall thinking that my 1200 baud dialup to a text-based GEnie board was quick (ah, the bad ol’ days...)[:-^]! Oh, and I’m sure PennsyHoosier missed your request about graphics.

What suggestions would you all have on re-doing the motor on my (Athearn) SW1500 (okay, it's really more like the SW7, I know)? The motor in there has twin flywheels and gearing to both trucks - plus the usual metal clip. I'm also trying to figure if I could retrofit a decoder to the SW7/1500 or not. Anyone tried it who could tell me how? Thanks!

Well, I'm going to try to get home and i bed before 11:30 tonight, instead of hanging out here half the night. No offense to you Coffee Clubbers or Zoe, of course![:-^] Time to go catch some [zzz]'s...

Jim in Cape Girardeau
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Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:39 PM
Hey Jim I don't know form Dcc but if you can find an alco producte helix humper motor it was designed as the end all athearn motor replacement and they sold it as a kit for their switchers or the larger wheel base units any one I've seen around here usually had flywheels with it so it's a complete replacement part and it has "feet' which will fit the motor mount holes in the athearn frame. You'll probly have ti hit a swap meet though as I think the manufacturer may be out o business, they do work well though if you can find one,it's a good solid can motor. Rob
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Posted by trolleyboy on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 10:45 PM
[oops][:0][:0]I started a new page well guess that means I'm doing the dishes you all left at the tables,at least Zoe is willing to supervise[:(!][:(!] I'll bur everyone some weathering grade coffee I know it's ***'s favorite[swg][swg] BTW has anyone heard from mitchell lately he hasn't been around much. I hope he's all right(with all the heavily fired food he eats afterall) Well so long for now,nite all. Rob[zzz][zzz][zzz]
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Posted by TurboOne on Thursday, February 3, 2005 1:05 AM
Good evening, or by the EST good morning.

We are atalkative bunch tonight.

Thanks for all the offers to help build more benchwork, but the wife wants some of her stuff built if I fini***he layout. Should I tell her the train motto ?[;)]

Elliott, Sound like a good time other than setup. Maybe a helper or two would make it easier for you. Would love to do that, but alas SoCal is just a bit out of driving range.

4 days to FOOTBALL !!!!!

Here is a progress pic on the layout.



That is the temp 4 x 8 until more benchwork is finished.

Take care and have a geat day clubbers.

Tim
WWJD
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Posted by philnrunt on Thursday, February 3, 2005 1:11 AM
Teffy- (read like Homer Simpson) Lasagna....ahlaahlaahla- or however you spell that noise he makes. I need to get out and walk more mostly due to the weather- always good to have a handy excuse, I have a stationary bike at home, but i hav'nt ridden it in about 2 weeks. Spending too much time thinking about how to go walking. And don't worry about the spelling of any food, like C3PO, I am fluent in 6000 food names and their various dialects!
dave9999- Vacation-ahlaahlaahla-love it. Never enough time for it. I just decided last night to spend a week in Savannah with Amyjo. Shes never been there, I think she will love it. Gonna head down in 2 weeks, if I can make the reservations tonight. Neither of us can afford it, but working without having fun just never has been my strong suit.
Hey Bill, I see you're online, glad to see you here. It was good hearing from you the other day.
Matt- I think the hardest part of running the engine on 220 would be explaining to the constables how your neighbor was ran down by a train while sitting in his bathtub!
As for colds and fevers, I always heard it was take a fever out for a drink and get a cold some cheesecake. Never made them go away any faster, but you just didn't care as much.
Jim- Thanks for separating Flip and me from that little rodent . Today was predicted to be 35, it was 23 with a bit more of the freezing fog. Can't have too much of that, now can we? PennsyHoos, have you noticed that the NE part of Indiana has been at least 10 degrees colder than the surrounding areas? Chi-36, Indy 37, Columbus 37, Ft Wayne-26. We seem to be in a hole of cold. Oh welllll, whatchagonnadoo?
Tom- At what elevation do you live? I told Amy that Savannah would be alot warmer than here, and she mentioned your weather.( we talk about the forum and it's members every now and again). If I can point out the elevation differences, she will grasp the concept of being cold in Ga much better.
Take care all.
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Posted by TurboOne on Thursday, February 3, 2005 1:40 AM
[wow][yeah] Congratulations Teffy, (Bob) now you have 3 green ones instead of two blue ones. Thats for all the help, good feelings and knowledge you have shared.

Tim
WWJD
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Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 3, 2005 2:09 AM
Hey everyone -
I've been in hiding in an attempt to do something responsible with my life - like getting my woodworking business into high gear - also received a bit of pressure from my CFO, and she's justified, as I've made an attempt at early retirement, and that isn't for me. You can just watch so much bad news on TV, spend too much time on evilBay, and hang out with the locals at the neighborhood coffee shop -not to be confused with this one, for I have been frequenting the one that is right next door to the women's gym and a truly snooty beauty parlor - and just taking in the 'scenery'. . .

That scenario lasted for a month or so in between working on the remodel and relandscaping of our house, and I decided to limit my 'puter time, and get my axxx back to work. It feels good, actually, although I've got nicks, cuts and bruises all over my body from a rush job building a custom built-in 'entertainment bar' for a client in his large home nearby.

I will be getting some railfanning and exploring of some old rightaways in next week in north GA & southwestern NC (w/ Tom), and get the track plan (sorta) done for my new layout - for I committed to Teffy awhile back that I would be laying track later this year ! He suggested that I take a 2X10 and just do a point to point to get started, and although that sounded silly, it got me thinking that starting with a 'timesaver' and later incorporating it into the greater scheme of things (in an industrial area) makes a lot of sense. Good opportunity to test out different brands of track, subroadbed, switch machines, benchwork technoques, and even scenery ideas. . .

"Ed down Mexico Way" - put me on the aging list at 59 yrs young, although having a tumor removed this past Monday does tend to remind one of our mortality. I'll be fine, as the Doc's confident that they got it all this time. (I'll be back at work later this AM)

I just spent the past three hours reading over the last thirty something pages of posts, and I don't even recognize over half of the Coffee Shop patrons. Lots has changed in the couple of months that I've been awol - Lupo's wearing pink hats, Fergie has endorsed 'pink' as his color of choice, and Teffy has painted a Challenger in fuscia - it's not pink ! Have you guys turned sissy on us? Is that politically okay to say these days? Who cares !

And when I read that Tom was planting weeds, I had to reread it to realize he was referring to 1/87 sized plants, and not working in his garden in the midst of winter. . .Speaking of Tom - he really bummed me out when he enlightened me that the entire locale that I'm modeling set in the early '50s (north GA & southwestern NC) was DRY back then, and now how can I have a prototypical seedy side of town? There's always moonshine stills and '40 Ford coupes w/ dragging tail ends being chased by cop cars, but it's not the same. Can't have a brewery, winery, or even a bar. How can I justify a places called Lupo's Lounge, Phil's Pool Hall, or Tom & Teffys' Tonk?

Other observations - weather has replaced sports as the topic of choice lately. We have had our share of yucky stuff - lots of ice a couple of days ago, and I almost slid over the side of a hill into a ravine when my (2wd) pick up w/ balding tires tried a sideways slide down a long hill in the wee hours at the height of the storm. And what was I doing out at such a stupid hour ? I was returning home from working on a job site! Yes, working! Just about the only fool on the road except for another pickup that was in a ditch on its side. . . Guess my snow training in the Adirondacks as a kid and skiing in the Sierras years later paid off, as I made it home without anymore drama.

I see that there are still some flamers lurking about causing fits for some unlucky souls. Glad to see that the turkey that made an attempt a couple of pages back at slinging some muck at Coffee Shop regulars was shown the door. Probably didn't have any shoes or a shirt on either. . .'nough of that.

Have been acquiring lots of neat goodies for my version of the L&N. The operating scheme is still evolving, but that's half the fun of it. With all the space allocated to it, it'll probably never be nailed down completely, and that's okay. Had an interesting conversation with Teffy yesterday and he nailed it right on the head - where am I going to put all the industries, city scenes, lineside structures, gas stations, mines, fuel facilities, cement plants, marble quarries, pulpwood yards, lumbering, chicken farms, etc.? It made a lot of sense, so I went and bought two more gas stations today ! Sometimes old farxxs can't be taught new tricks, you know. But it was a good attempt Teffy.

I'll try to stop by more often - other problem is that the CFO works out of the home now - she has her own branch of a mortgage company, and it's just plain difficult to goof off anymore! Guess I'll have to complete my shop office / hobby room in the basement and relocate the 'puter down there.

BTW - anyone have the plans and instructions for Campbell's "Mine Headframe" kit #352? I've got the pulpwood loads deal covered - I'm casting up my own out of resin.

Time for bed so I can start another day in a few hours. Nite all,
BILL

  • Member since
    September 2002
  • From: Nova Scotia, Northumberland Shore
  • 2,479 posts
Posted by der5997 on Thursday, February 3, 2005 7:44 AM
goomorning all: Welcome back Bill. This computer is in the train room that absorbed my office when I ran out of gainful contracts in semi-retirement. Kris has hers in her office, and we make both rooms into "guest suites" as required since there are now no spare bedrooms as such. Air mattresses on the floor, and in the summer we have a trailer in the yard.[:D]
Greg:
QUOTE: Got in a little late tonight, mom teaches kindergarten, and tomorrow is 100 day. We had to make ZipLoc's with 100 froot loops each for every student in Calumet School grades K-6 (104 to be exact). Not fun, believe me.
You should decline the work because of the bio-hazard from all that coloured sugar dust! [(-D]
Tim:
QUOTE: Here is a progress pic on the layout.
What colour is that lead loco? And does Fergie know?[(-D] TrolleyRob will approve the pair in back, I'm sure! Nice work, and isn't it great to get something up and running?[tup]
Well, thanks for the coffee. Can't stay as the Maintenance Superintendant wants the snow banks alng the driveway cut back a bit more now we have a mild spell, so the van doesn't scrape so much[(-D]
TTFN

"There are always alternatives, Captain" - Spock.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, February 3, 2005 8:05 AM
Der: Osha never gets out this way, so I can't complain very well. Oh well, I guess a little bit of work ever now and then doesn't hurt to much though.

Bill: Good news about the tumor, its always god when they can get something like that. Woodworking huh? Just be careful with the jointer--they're good at relieving you of extra weight on the ends of your fingers (long story).

Time to get to school,
Greg
  • Member since
    August 2002
  • From: Wake Forest, NC
  • 2,869 posts
Posted by SilverSpike on Thursday, February 3, 2005 8:34 AM
Morning All! Another tall cup a Joe for me and I’ll take some fresh squeezed OJ Ed! Thanks, that sure helps, it is cold this morning! At least the rain has stopped for a few hours, but still the ground is soaked!

QUOTE:
Jim wrote:
Ryan, maybe you can poach a couple of gators and have gator steaks next week here! Do your gators do like the Florida ones and go after dogs in your yards?


Didn’t see any gators with the water rising, guess they are holed up with the cold weather. I've heard stories of dem gators eatin’ chickens and rabbits, but no dog tales from the swamps.

QUOTE:
Tim wrote:
Here is a progress pic on the layout.


Is that Mardi Gras beads on the edge of your layout? Purple, Green, and Gold![:D]
Throw me somthin' mista!

Hope all is well with you guys, thanks for the java!

Gotta run again! Bundle up and keep toasty!

- Ryan

Ryan Boudreaux
The Piedmont Division
Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger era
Cajun Chef Ryan

  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Cherry Valley, Ma
  • 3,674 posts
Posted by grayfox1119 on Thursday, February 3, 2005 8:51 AM
Good morning everyone!!! Another beautiful day in central Mass hills, partly cloudy skies, temp at 31 already, WOW, it may hit 40's today![:D][:D] The coffey tastes great this morning, Jim, you must have made the pot???

Der John, I am sorry to hear about George, we have had the same experience several times over the years.

Duke, don't sweat it, you only said what we feel too. He needs some growing up.

Tim: wow, you are really going to town on your layout, what a tiger!!!

Bill: Very happy to see things turned out well for you, I also had a touch of a reminder of man's mortality two years ago, it sure is a wake up call.

Train Room update: Yesterday afternoon I finished with the 1st coat on all the walls and had time to start the finish smooth coat on only the upper part of the walls that will have skyscape. I should be able to fini***he smooth-coat this morning. Then it is painting and suspended ceiling installation and lighting.

Luc: how is the CFO feeling? Hope she has had some rest from what she has been through.

Dave: Has your fever come down yet? Probably when the rain stops there and you get some warm Texas sunshine, you will feel much better. Even though here in NE it is only in the 30's and low 40's this time of year, when we have sunny days like the last few, it does wonders for our bodies.

JW: I see the GA Mtns are getting a chilly rain this morning, but it looks like clearing is right on the horizon, hang in there buddy !!!

Time to get back to work.......see you guys in PM,

Dick If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got!! Learn from the mistakes of others, trust me........you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself, I tried !! Picture album at :http://www.railimages.com/gallery/dickjubinville Picture album at:http://community.webshots.com/user/dickj19 local weather www.weatherlink.com/user/grayfox1119
  • Member since
    August 2003
  • From: Cherry Valley, Ma
  • 3,674 posts
Posted by grayfox1119 on Thursday, February 3, 2005 8:55 AM
Forgor one thing!!! Ryan, those were outstanding pictures of the trains crossing over the large trestle, I have never seen pictures of that, really nice. I wonder if Ed is going to model that.....right Ed?

Dick If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got!! Learn from the mistakes of others, trust me........you can't live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself, I tried !! Picture album at :http://www.railimages.com/gallery/dickjubinville Picture album at:http://community.webshots.com/user/dickj19 local weather www.weatherlink.com/user/grayfox1119
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Mexico
  • 2,629 posts
Posted by egmurphy on Thursday, February 3, 2005 9:15 AM
QUOTE: ***:
...those were outstanding pictures of the trains crossing over the large trestle, I have never seen pictures of that, really nice. I wonder if Ed is going to model that.....right Ed?

No, don't think so. That's big time mainline railroading. I and my door are into tee tiny branchline railroading with small engines and tight curves. No big modern diseasels.


But all this talking about New Orleans made me think of my favorite place to eat when I was over there. Harbor Seafood up on Williams Blvd in Kenner, just east of the airport (and not all that far from the bridge). Small, very casual place. Cheap but fresh seafood. Not the great cuisine that NO is known for, but I liked it. They usually had oysters on the half shell for $0.25 each, or $2.25 a dozen. I'd stop in and have a couple dozen, and a couple of Abita Ambers, and that would do me for dinner. When the boss would come on the trip we'd have to eat at someplace more upscale and expensive, but when I went alone that was where I'd go. Plus I could take out a few of the superintendents from the project for dinner, and the tab wouldn't be so large as to make anyone take notice.

Wow, just made myself hungry thinking about it. Time to go find something for a mid-morning snack.

Later,

Ed
The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: The great state of Texas
  • 1,084 posts
Posted by TurboOne on Thursday, February 3, 2005 10:34 AM
Hey all, I am very sad this morning. Over in the garden railway section, the PC police erased the coffee shop thread. Said it was not about trains. Had some overseas folks quit the forum, then this morning it was gone. In less than a month, it had over 200 posts, and 2000 views, but a few had it killed. Sad. [xx(][xx(]

Tim
WWJD
  • Member since
    January 2003
  • From: Mexico
  • 2,629 posts
Posted by egmurphy on Thursday, February 3, 2005 11:29 AM
Good Morning Coffee Clubbers,

Things continue cool down here, it’s probably down in the mid-50’s this morning. All the locals are out in their parkas.

Here’s a shot of the start of foam hill construction on the layout. Just cut shapes and glue to this point. But I may start carving/shaping later today.


Teffy, congrats on 3 stars. (shhh! Don't let the CIPP hear about that!) [:D]

QUOTE: Paul:
There is a GATS show this weekend. Since it's going to be in the convention center just a few blocks from where I work, so since I'm working Saturday, I'll stop in after work.
Another show!!! Don’t you guys ever get tired of torturing me with all these shows you have access to? [:(] Okay, at least report back afterwards. I live vicariously through your experiences. [;)]


QUOTE: Rob:
… have you listened to Great Big Sea a wonderfull Newfie group…
As in “A great big sea hove in Long Beach…”? Nope, haven’t had the opportunity. Newfie music isn't real popular down here.


QUOTE: (CG)Jim:
Actually, Ed, at the rate people are posting … maybe that suggestion someone (Teffy?) had of a March date isn’t completely impossible.
You’re right. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit to find that all the guesses to date were too conservative.


QUOTE: TurboTim:
Thanks for all the offers to help build more benchwork, but the wife wants some of her stuff built if I fini***he layout. Should I tell her the train motto ?
Actually, I’ve found it better to not p off the CFO. If you’ve got one who’s cooperating with your layout efforts, a little work on honeydo’s will usually get you a few attaboys. Could even get you a few new tools. [^]

Btw, congrats on getting trains running, even if it’s temporary.


Phil, just gotta ask, why Savannah? Not that I have any problem with it, it’s just like “Where’d that suggestion come from?”


Good to hear from you after all this time Bill.
QUOTE: I've made an attempt at early retirement, and that isn't for me…
Yeah, I know what you mean. It’s tough work, but someone’s got to do it. Tell you what, I’ll hold down the retirement fort until you feel tired enough to try it again. Although it seems you had an interesting Coffee Shop to hang out in. I’m probably safer just hanging around here.

QUOTE: … does tend to remind one of our mortality…
You’ve got that right. When one is young you’re likely to imagine you’ll live to 100 and be healthy and active the whole time. By the time you pass the half way point you start to realize that it probably won’t be quite that way. Having friends pass away, who are the same age or younger than you, is another rude reminder.

QUOTE: … and now how can I have a prototypical seedy side of town?
There you have one of the problems associated with trying to faithfully model a prototype. We freelancers have a lot of flexibility in suspending reality. [:D]


QUOTE: TurboTim:
Over in the garden railway section, the PC police erased the coffee shop thread. Said it was not about trains.
Hopefully that won’t happen here. Bergie has stated before that he doesn’t object to the thread. He said it’s like a model railroad club, you don’t spend the whole meeting talking nothing but trains. But who knows.


Okay, time for the lottery update. Here are the dates as I have them up to now:
Dave9999 29-Apr
Noah 1-May
Tom W 3-May
Elliot 18-May
TurboTim 20-May
Ed 21-May
Paul B 24-May
(CG)Jim 30-May
trainwreck 5-Jun
grayfox 9-Jun
Luc 14-Jun
Teffy 20-Jun
trolleyboy 1-Jul
JP 11-Jul
Btw, we’re at 5,489 posts right now. On the 1st of the month we were at 5,400. We probably need some cutoff date for guesses. Don’t need someone holding back until we get so close that it’s easy to guess. I’ll give those of you who haven’t yet guessed one more week. We’ll close entries at midnight on the 10th.


Okay, later guys,

Regards

Ed

The Rail Images Page of Ed Murphy "If you reject the food, ignore the customs, fear the religion and avoid the people, you might better stay home." - James Michener

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