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

[Cox 47]

Afternoon all...Sunny and pleasant here...Can't stay I'll have a Diet coke to go....Got Dr. apointment in am...be glad to get to feeling a little better...You all have a good one...Jerry

[krump]

Thanks for the Email Greyfox (and others)... it's been almost 4 months since I was last in the Forum or in the Coffee Shop (and everything looks so fresh, new and confusing)... I'm learning it all over again.  Hmmm - how do I send a post ?

thanks to all for the prayers and kind thoughts, and emails.  My wife has been quite sick in the past 4 -6 months - had emergency surgery last week and morphine this week... it will be a long run yet for the two of us, and our 3 children (elementary school ages) .  We are now seeing the glimmers of improvement and we thank the Lord for that.  Still much recovery to get through yet, and the PAIN remains unbearable for her at times - back to the Dr. for a scheduled check-up tomorrow again.  I have the next two weeks off yet to help out around home. 

As for the CASTAWAY Railroad that I am working on... most is still on paper and in boxes.  Might get back to that this week.

go ahead, ask me about my latest labour-saving device --- the QUAD has arrived, and been put to good use, daily hauling sand, tools, fenceposts, junk, and occasionally going out for a trail ride.

cheers.

 

[SilverSpike]

Good morning, I’ll have a cup of that fresh brewed coffee and a fresh baked cinnamon roll with pecans and raisins sounds like a great starter.

Got back from our trip to Asheville, NC this weekend and saw the Norfolk Southern Asheville Roundhouse and locomotive servicing facility from the highway overpass on our drive to the Biltmore Estate on Saturday. Sorry, no pictures this time. Wanted to stop back later, but it was late and the sun went down on our way home. Besides, I saw a no trespassing sign posted on the gravel road leading to the buildings.

We celebrated our anniversary yesterday, married 12 years now. Time flies when you having fun, seems like just yesterday that we were on our honeymoon in the Smokey Mountains.

Planning to watch the Saints vs. Falcons game on ESPN Monday Night Football, first time the Superdome will be open to the public since it was the evacuation site for hurricane Katrina victims over a year ago. Besides all the hoopla over the dome and the Saints back on their home turf, hopefully it will be and exciting game since both teams are 2-0 going into tonight’s game.

Have to go back to page 1200 to start my checking up on the past three days…

Inch, I am very proud to be selected to receive my grandfathers’ flag, as I am the only surviving grandson. He too had some fantastic stories to tell of his Army Air Force days and flying the Hump. I also have two of his original flight jackets with the old Army Air Force emblems embossed on the shoulders.

Neat that you overheard the washer’s incident on that scanner… I wonder how much material and merchandise ends up falling out of box cars every year?

Great pics of that turnout under construction on the UP line!

Thanks for the update on RT, and give him our prayers and thoughts next time you all speak!

Where you getting all those cool temps? It was about 88 degrees here yesterday afternoon!

Colby, it happens for many of us too. Interest will wane when other things become more important, such as school, college, career, starting a family. But even if you just read a railroad magazine, or do research online, you are still working towards the ultimate goal of model railroading. Nice snag on that Maine Central time table.

Paul, what “neat stuff” have you seen falling off of trains on your UP sections?

Ed, I enjoyed reading the synopsis of your trip to Newfoundland, and the pictures were great. Thanks for sharing your trip with us here in the CS.

Jeff, I appreciate your Hurricane Rita memories, thanks! Having lived through Katrina and eventually evacuating to Tennessee for over three weeks this time of year has special significance for our family. We returned home a year ago on Sept 27, 2005, driving over 14 hour’s straight to get home again. Hats off to you for all your contributions and hard work during the recovery and aftermath of Rita, I know exactly what it was like to be dragged into the “dark ages”, for us it felt like what we would imagine was the days of the wild wild west of the 1800’s. Marshal Law and no electricity…

Also, the Johnson’s Depot website is a great historical resource, thanks for the link.

Fergie, beets eh! Those 20 lbs. should fill up plenty of jars. I have a great marinated beet recipe; it is made with Dijon vinaigrette. Thanks for the pickling recipe too! Copied it for future reference, now all I have to do is plant some beets next year…

Jim in the Cape, yep, that is what I call planning for the future, if you know what I mean. And your layout plan is coming along too I see!

Cheers,

Ryan

[grayfox1119]

Good morning everyone, the rains have departed the sun is out, and it is a Fall, cool day here. Have some chain sawing to do and some yard Fall work..the snows may not be far away this year.

FERGIE: I checked with the CFO, she says that Cider Vinegar (brown color) is used for pickling cucumbers to make pickles, but either White ( distilled vinegar) or Cider Vinegar can be used for other pickling such as beets, with White vinegar being more common to use for beets. Gee, us guys learn something new every day!!!

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good morning and top 'o' the day to all of ye. I'll take steak and eggs with orange juice, if you'd be so kind. Thank you.

Weather in Leesville today, sunny, expecting a high of 81, 20% chance of rain (meaning we won't see a drop), winds north at 5 to 10 mph.

Good day for yard work. I wish! If my doctor saw me out doing yard work, he'd kill me. No, I'll just have to stay here and work on the layout and cruise the forums. I'll be glad when I get my car fixed. When the Social Security check (my only source of income) comes in, the car goes into the shop to have both front hub bearings replaced. Until then, I'm stuck here.

[Fergmiester]

Fergie,,, Mother ask the same ?? as Dick. What kind of vinegar do you use

White.

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

   Bright but overcast this morning - late start and all as I needed to hit HD for some trailer wiring bits. Just a regular for me today please Zoe - gotta get on with it soon.

   Tried to watch the Giants game yesterday but just couldn't - they really stunk up the tv. 30 points sonds good, but Seattle must have put their towel boys in for the 4th quarter. If they'd play a whole game the Giants could conquer the world.

   Colby - I have a box of what I'm told is old 027 track here - all straights and curves 3 rail but lots of light rust. Think of it as weathered. If that's something thatt'l work let me know here and we'll get it underway, for sure you will need to clean the rail tops.

   Got some time in on the layout at home between work and chores. Got a lot of the lower level track in and proved it with alligator clips to the rail and a 44 tonner pulling a pullman coach. Wired up all the drops so next is the switch machines then the bus for the lower level power.

   All for now - time to pick up tools.  CUL, J.R.

[inch53]

Mornin ya'll, coffee n a couple doughnuts Zoe,

Another cool morning 48 here in there woods. Mostly sunny this morning, cloudy afternoon, high in the 60's again. We've been running about 10 degrees below normal temps lattely, hope it's not a preveiw of how the winters going to be.

Jeffery,, the closest famous name in my family was Alfalfa Swizer [Little Rascels], a cousin. The wife's great grand dad did found Birds, IL.

Fergie,,, Mother ask the same ?? as Dick. What kind of vinegar do you use

Dick,,, the farmers markets are bout done here for the year. Bout all you get now is imported veggies. May have to make a trip to Palistine and see what Lehon's got.

Not much planned for today, got kids. May get to play time during naps, bout it. Best get ta chores, hope ya'll has a gooden

inch

[Anonymous]

Good morning

Happy MRRing

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-25-06

[grayfox1119]

FERGIE: What "type" of vinegar? There is light ( Distilled white ) and dark ( Apple Cider vinegar ) !!! You should use Cider vinegar.

Love those pickled beets.

MIKE: You should be able to get all the beets you want at local farm stands.

4th Qtr: Patriots can't get it going, behind 17-0 to Denver.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeffery,,, I have a RR scanner site on here i get into some tiimes. Then I have one in the train room for locals. Gets interesting at time, when some thing breaks down. Here while back the local came open with " emergancy,,, emergancy,,, emergancy stop eng #??. " Seems they lost they're air suddenly and every thing came to a stand still for over an hour, till they got it fixed. Had to reset a breaker and walk the train to make sure of no leaks. Took two hours to get all the trians though that had been backed up over it.

Liked the engine, you need to drag it out more often. I've got my first  engine, a Tyco dock side. Now over 40 years old, still runs great. A little cleaning and a lube job every now an then, she ready for another round

Thanks for the link on Johnson Depot, very interesting

INCH I knew that I had some famous people in my family tree, but I never would have guessed that one was one of the founding fathers of Tennessee.

I've got a Bachmann GP40 that I run all the time. I bought it in Germany in 1978. Can anybody remember when Bachmann wasn't made in China? I can.

[inch53]

Fergie thanks for recipe, sounds real good. Think we'll give it a try, now all i gotta do is find 20# of beets.

Wonder how pickled turnups would be, I can find them easy this time of year.

[Fergmiester]

"Nana's Recipe"

This was something I use to watch my Mother make and thank heavens I married a woman who's mother kepps the tradition alive and who according to my Dad makes pickled Beets as good as my Mom's, which is the highest praise one can get, honest the two recipes are as good as it gets.

So Inch! listen up

Step 1
boil 20 lbs of beets (might have to do a couple of runs) to the point where you can get a fork into them, which is about the same consistancy of a firm but cooked boiled potato.

Once boiled run cold water over them to blanch.

cut the top and bottom off and remove the skin, cut into 1/4" slices then place in a bowl.

Step 2

Sterilize 24 x 16oz  Mason jars by boiling them in water for 10-15 minutes

Step 3a

Fill the jars with beets leaving 1/2 of space at the top

Step 3b

Place the following contents in a large pot and boil for 20 minutes:

3 quarts vinegar
1 quart water
2 1/2 lbs brown sugar (more or less to taste)
4 oz. pickling spice wrapped in cheese cloth

Once spice and sugar have melded pour pickling brine into jars insuring all air has risen to top and jars are filled to the brim. before placing lids on, drop a clove into each jar.

Enjoy!

Fergie









 

[inch53]

Evening all, barley pop Cleo please,

Takled to RT awhille ago, still no putor yet, but are looking up on that part maybe. His brother out west is going to send him an old one from where he works, from when they up-graded. Said to tell every body HI. He went the the libraibry there there and could get into the shop, but couldn't post. Bout it from him for now.

Jerry ,,, hope the doc gets you lined out, arm chair MRR'ng is ok only for a short while.

Jeffery,,, I have a RR scanner site on here i get into some tiimes. Then I have one in the train room for locals. Gets interesting at time, when some thing breaks down. Here while back the local came open with " emergancy,,, emergancy,,, emergancy stop eng #??. " Seems they lost they're air suddenly and every thing came to a stand still for over an hour, till they got it fixed. Had to reset a breaker and walk the train to make sure of no leaks. Took two hours to get all the trians though that had been backed up over it.

Liked the engine, you need to drag it out more often. I've got my first  engine, a Tyco dock side. Now over 40 years old, still runs great. A little cleaning and a lube job every now an then, she ready for another round

Thanks for the link on Johnson Depot, very interesting

JP,,, I see one of those baseball collector car once in awhile on Ebay. Most go for bout $18 to $25

Colby,, wish I could help with the track, but I don't have any. You might find some on Ebay cheap.

Jim CG,,, Like the new layout plan. Good luck with it

Dick ,,, I had a very quite day other than haveing KC for awhile, but she likes foot ball too. By the time she left it was 3 QT. of the Bears-Viking game, set down on the couch to watch it and fell asleep. Woke up bout the end of the 4'th. Bears won, 16- 13.

Bout it fur now, Den-NE games on so back to the train room for awhile and work on the layout, instead of napping

inch

[grayfox1119]

Good evening gents, mostly cludy and warm here today, a cold front past through about 5pm, now clear and temps dropping fast. Took a day off from honey-do jar list, and outside work as well, caught up on many mags to read, while watching the Seahawks dismantle the Giants. I had to see how Mr Branch did as a Seahawk ( ex-patriot ).

JP: That it easy.....a man chases a woman until she catches him...end of story about knowing about women.

FERGIE: Man, I love beats, I have a few to get in from the garden yet, but they will never make it to the pickling plant.

MIKE: I see you had a quiet Sunday also, nice pics too.

JEFF: It is not necessary to place the DCC bus in a shielded jacket. All that is necessary is to twist the pairs, about 6 twists per foot should be fine to eliminate any cross talk or spurious pick-up.

Talk later guys,

[jeffrey-wimberly]

You and me both!

[PA Belt]

i love that plan, i wish i had the cash to make it

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Boy, there's a lot going on in that layout plan. I'd like to have that much space for an HO setup.

[JimRCGMO]

Good Afternoon, Zoe - could I have a coffee, and one of those brownies, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream on the top, please?

Careful Flip, you start showing up more often in here, you’ll earn your nickname back again. Yep, if I were into eastern roads, B&M has the variety in their paint schemes. I might look into some GN Goat cars - I could make up a story to explain how they got way down in the Southwest, I’m sure. Besides, as someone once said, “It’s my railroad, and...” Sometimes overtime is a mixed blessing - you like getting the extra $$ that it brings, but you don’t have much time to get to the LHS or swap meets to pick up some ‘new’ stuff (like Pennsy cars? tee hee...)

BillT, those powdered donuts you brought in today look might tempting. If I hadn’t already had a big lunch, I’d probably add one of those to my order.

Colby, I don’t have any O scale stuff to help you out with. You could ask Inch to pass your request along to RT. He sells Lionel and maybe other O scale stuff, so maybe he might let you know if he gets something in used that’d be of interest. If he doesn’t get anything suitable in, you’re no worse off, either. Keep looking - if you have yard sales in your area that you could check them out, might find something there. You might have to take your Mom in as a co-conspirator (if she can keep a secret, anyway) to help you. Just an idea or two to consider.

Jerry - Good luck with the doctor’s visit (and getting to do a bit more than just armchair MRR’ing).

Sounds like you’re having a fun afternoon, JP. What’s that saying? “He’s a legend in his own mind”? [ And what would your thoughts be about just asking your co-worker if she has something she wants to tell you (instead of just wondering)? Just hypothetically speaking...

Ed - It might be that PA is just friendly and says Hi! when he goes by (as opposed to, say, myself (who write overly long posts). Whaddya think? Oh, I see that he’s already answered our questions...

Not lots new going on here in my area this afternoon. I’ve been pinning down more track (the sections to connect to the switches this time). Ran out of the push pins I was using, so I guess now I may have to get the track nails out and start fixing down some of what I have connected, to free up some push pins for doing the rest of the pieces. Where has the afternoon gone? It’s almost dinnertime, and I’m just finishing my after-lunch brownie!

Also on the layout, I will need to pull some of the mainline’s cork roadbed, because I’ve changed the design from when I first laid things out, and will be curving the track for corners now. Here’s the older design:



and here’s the revised plan:



I have some straightening and picking up to do yet today, too. Sort of my own ‘honey-do’ list. (Getting tired of some of the piles and want to clear them/put them away)

Blessings to you, and a great week,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Here's a little something from my family history.

Tipton-Haynes Historic Site

Col. John Tipton is one of my ancestors.

The Tipton-Haynes Historic Site is located off I-181, exit 31, one mile south on S. Roan Street.
Col. John Tipton (1730-1813), one of the founding fathers of Tennessee, built the original home in 1784 along the Morganton, NC, - Jonesborough, TN, stage road. The estate was the site of the Battle of the Lost State of Franklin fought in 1788. It was also home to John Tipton, Jr. (1767-1831), legislator in the Tennessee General Assembly, and Confederate Senator Landon Carter Haynes (1816- 1875).
Haynes who received the estate as a wedding present in 1839 renovated the home and developed the complex much as it appears today. He was influential in bringing the railroad through Northeast Tennessee. Following the Civil War, the Haynesville site was renamed Johnson's Depot. In 1869 it became Johnson City. Also see http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/

Hours: April 1- Oct 31 -- 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Saturday; 2 to 5 pm, Sunday
Nov. 1 - March 31 -- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday- Friday
Closed on Thanksgiving, Dec. 21 - Jan. 8
Annual Events: Spring Doin's, Civil War Reenactment, 1st weekend in May
Times of the Tiptons, Battle of State of Franklin, 2nd weekend in September
Stories from the Pumpkin Patch, Last Saturday in October
Visions of Christmas 1861, 2nd Saturday in December
For more information contact: Tipton Haynes Historical Association, PO Box 225, Johnson City, TN 37605, or phone [phone]

http://www.johnsonsdepot.com/

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Jeff, thanks on the wiring info - you reminded me about that 'no-bundle' thing. Think I might've heard somewhere about that. Do you use terminal blocks for your control panel (or two or three - one in from each, one out to the track)? If so, then, that would make it:

power pack --> control panel (inbound terminal block) --> control panel switch --> control panel (outbound terminal block) --> wires to the track blocks

Do I have it (sort of) correct?

Thanks,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

I don't use any terminal blocks. None! The wires go from the power packs and DCC controller to the switches on the control panel and from there to the blocks and turnouts.

[PA Belt]

hey all

Working on boosting your post count?

Ed -

  Yes, I think he is.....

no i aint, just droppin in

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Look what I decided to drag out of the display rack just so I could give it a run.

This old steamer still runs good after all those years in the display rack.

Would you believe that the white locomotive behind it is a 30+ year old Bachmann that's never broken down. Not even once.

[JimRCGMO]

Jeff, thanks on the wiring info - you reminded me about that 'no-bundle' thing. Think I might've heard somewhere about that. Do you use terminal blocks for your control panel (or two or three - one in from each, one out to the track)? If so, then, that would make it:

power pack --> control panel (inbound terminal block) --> control panel switch --> control panel (outbound terminal block) --> wires to the track blocks

Do I have it (sort of) correct?

Thanks,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[JPowell]

hey all

Working on boosting your post count?

Ed -

  Yes, I think he is.....

[ModelTrainLover]

Good Evening, Chloe - just a cup of coffee, please. Thanks, Fergie!


Colby, you sure got some (fun) mileage out of that assignment and community service part! Way to go!


Jim in Cape Girardeau

Yea I did and

Wanted!!!

 Does anyone have 3 rail O scale track that they don't want?? I'll happly use it for my Dad's MARX train which has scence lost it's track and I can't afford buying some.....

and besides it's a win-win, you don't have to worry about the track and My dad will be surprise when he see's his own tain running again.

so any takers??? send me an email if you have some and don't want it...

 

[egmurphy]

hey all

Working on boosting your post count?

[PA Belt]

hey all

[JPowell]

Good day all –

  I hope this finds everyone in good health, and if not, at least on the mend toward it. Not much going on this weekend. Got all of my ‘to-do’ list done and am just sitting here having a little ‘jam’ session w/ the ‘air’ instruments and the local Classic Rock station. And to tell ya’ll the truth, I’m having a ball doing it!

 

Dick / Ed –

  In a way, I am glad we’re out of the race. With all the injuries we’ve had the last 2 months, I’m sure this will make it easier on Tito to set the lineups for the last few games left this season. ESPN’s Buster Onley is reporting that this may be the off season where they get rid of Manny. Seems his agent as asked the front office to try and trade him again, not unusual for him in this request. It has happened every year since he’s been there, so why should this one be any different? I can see a lot of new faces on the team next year when they head to Florida in February. Reports are already saying that Nixon and Gonzo won’t be re-signed this winter and the team is in need of pitching at all spots – Starters, mid relief, and closers. All we can do is sit back and watch the festivities unfold as the off season gets underway next week.

 

Well, since I have the baseball talk out of the way (btw, does anyone know if there are any collectible HO Boston Red Sox cars, etc on the market?) I’m going to try and figure out what makes some ladies ‘tick’ Yeah, I know…don’t even try it. Problem is, I have been in daily e-mail chats with one of my co-workers for the past month + and I’m not sure if there’s something she’s trying tell me or not. Even more odd about this is that this is the longest we’ve ever talked in the 6+ yrs I have been in the office. Guess this is one of life’s little things that makes one go “hmmm.”

Maybe Lisa can give us a lady’s point of view and shed some light on this mystery of mine?

 

Oh well, enough of my ramblings for the day. Thanks to all for the prayers for Bo and her family.

 

Take care!