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

[jwar]

Hi guys and gals

Are there any Western Pacific modelers on this forum.

Sterling1 ...love the Joke...You guys have a great day.

[Anonymous]

sent my amtrak engine in today to get a full on light kit installed. I seen the same engine with those lights before, turn off the room lights and you realize you dont need em with that thing goin around. Too bad im out $80 now...[sigh]

[Anonymous]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving !!

My wife, Lori and I visited our 20 yr old son, Ryan, in Raleigh for a couple of days and it was a terrific get-together. The drive was a real pain - 400+ miles thru severe weather in GA, SC, & NC, but turkey day was crisp and clear, with nary a cloud to be seen. After we went back to our hotel room to sleep off the approx 12, 000 calories we consumed at dinner at an incredible buffet at the Embassey Suites Hotel, we got a phone call about 1AM from my son that in addition to all the ham and turkey we had, he also got some venison - the hard way - by smacking a deer with his just fixed-up Integra. He and his girl friend are okay, but the car and the deer both lost out big time, and neither had collision insurance. ( and he had just replaced most of the front end and sheet metal on his car, and he nowhas to do it all over again)

He's handling this setback with an incredible show of maturity, and we're so proud of him. (in fact, he's doing a lot better than I was when we were overcharged at a Wendy's in NC on the way home today, and got some really awful food to boot) That he is dealing with this so well, so matter-of- factly, that he's sorry that he killed a deer and that it damaged his 'pride and joy', that he and his girl friend are most fortunate to be okay when it could have been much, much worse, and that he wishes that his Mom and I didn't have to have this 'event' possibly spoil our visit, only prove to me that in an obtuse sort of way, it was a very good Thanksgiving.

When a parent finally is assured that they have the confidence that their child will handle life's inevitable crisies, the never ending series of curve balls thrown at us, the highs and the lows, the good and the bad, and all of the day in and day out challenges that can either consume us, or stimulate us, it is then that they can be at peace with letting go, of backing off a bit, and just enjoy observing their child make something good out of their life. . .And that is what made this Thanksgiving so good.
BILL

[JimRCGMO]

Hi everyone!

I've missed the coffee here the past couple of days - had a friend in town and was showing her all our local items of note (including where our only active RR track is). Due to her arriving a tad late yesterday (and our decision to go catch a movie *before* fixing the turkey *** for dinner) we didn't fix the 'Turkey dinner with all the fixings' until this evening. It was my first attempt at fixing turkey (about an 8 lb. ***, so we didn't fix stuffing for it). Short version - ate lunch too late today and had too much at local Mexican restaurant, topped off by a large sized dinner. Ooomph.... Nap city...

Noah, thanks for the news on your GP9M and the suggestions. I probably need to clean my old engine(s), my track and switches, etc., so I'll keep the rubbing alcohol handy.

Tom, I have no intention of completely retiring from MRR. Spent part of this week looking at printouts of structures, vehicles, etc. and trying to figure which ones I wanted to have on my layout when I build it (again). Next, I'll figure what industries will fit with the structures and produce what kinds of car loads to transport to other destinations. One advantage of not strictly modeling a particular line - I can make it up somewhat as I go along (though I'll be trying to make sure that the cars and structures can be plausibly explained for my time period (circa 1950's, give or take).

I was pleased to find out today that my local library carries MRR mag, so I can just check out past issues (as early as last month's) for a week, and make notes/copies of the stuff I really, really want to incorporate into my layout/operation/etc. Then I can put the money I'd saved into MRR books instead (on scenery, wiring, operation, structures, etc.), so Kalmbach will still get about the same amount of my money.

Speaking of structures, does anyone still make an HO version of the old Revell enginehouse? I saw an N scale one on Walthers' site (might have been Kato or IHC, don't recall), but no sign of an HO version. I would like to get two of an HO scale version and use them to make my own version of an enginehouse. Anyone know of who's making the HO version of that? I'd use the Weekly Herald kits, but they don't have the front walls (and doors) I wanted. Thanks for any and all help/directions to a manufacturer for the kits.

Time to head off to bed (hoping to sleep off my excess of today's meals).

Remember to set up the coffee machine before the day crew gets here, Lupo! Thanks! If I get up early enough, I'll bring bagels in the morning.

Stuffed like the proverbial bird (no, not Jim's missing one),

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[camarokid]

My first and maybe only post in this wonderful forum. Nebraska lost today and ended another long and storied string of 42 years of no losing seasons and 35 years of going to a bowl game. It is truly a sad day in Husker Nation. Thank you Steve Pederson for taking us backwards. But we won 2 more games than I thought we would.

[Anonymous]

i sure wi***hat BLI AC6000CW was coming out before christmas. would save me $250. Its a must-have for me though, gonna be my first sound loco.

[krump]

Flip - got it. Got em all - love it. sending you a funny shortly

sNoah - can you spell c-h-i-c-k-e-n--d-a-n-c-e ? (sing it in your head)

Fergie - sorry 'bout the Royal Flush, but it does beat a FULL House [:D] - maybe the Mountain Bike culprits will get stopped soon. I hope that it turns out ok. If you send me their Pingerfrints, I'll run them through the youth probation stuff ...the handcuffs are waiting...

Greetings to Bill and Teffy, along with everyone else.

[Anonymous]

And to you Krump - long time no speak. . .
BILL

[JimRCGMO]

Fergie - Would it be out of line to hope the Mountain Bike culprits run into a hungry mountain lion (or two)? [;)] (Only kidding, but I'm sure it would burn me if someone made off with my bike...)

Oh, in regard to my earlier post about Revell structure kits, I have found some on eBay, but was wondering if any manufacturer is currently making the HO scale kit(s). Again, TIA for any and all assistance.

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[lupo]

Thanks for the fresh coffee Jim![:D]
I am going to need that to [zzz][zzz] wake up a bit!
So yall US clubbers had a great Thanksgiving, and all returned to the shop [tup] OK

now how do you get rid of those extra calories? maybe some exercise in the morning?

[fec153]

krump- was that the coffee club special you finally got?
Flip

[pedromorgan]

hello evryone.
i have been sat here at work with nothing to do for the last 7 hours. i have surfed the net. i have been for a walk to the water cooler i have subsequently had to make the first of what i am now sure will be 2 trips to the loo.
i am bored out of my mind.
i am thinking about breaking the photocopier just so i can fix it.

peter

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

We have a lot of new customers comming in:

[#welcome] ALL!!!

I finally felt like eating something yesterday and the turkey scraps were good. In another couple of days I'll be tired of turkey but for now it tastes good.

Today and tomorrow is club layout on display days so I get to play for two days. I've got the travel box all packed and ready to go.

Fergie:
Sorry to hear about your bikes being stolen. If it makes you fell any better, a friend of ours had someone break in to his guarage and steel his and his son's bikes. The theves ran a stop sign and were stopped by our local cop who ran a license check and found out that the registration had expired. The guys ran and the cop was able to coller one of them, he told on the other one. they then called Glenn to ask him about his bikes and he told them that they were in his garage, he didn't even know that they'd been stolen.

The e-mail that you sent me "what not to do - busted" will not open on my computer, apperaently I don't have the right program.

Bill:
On of my customers hit a deer one time and she said the worst part was being hit by the hooves as the deer was floudering.

Well I'm off to the open house

Ya'll have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[tomwatkins]

Good Morning Everybody,
It's been a lazy morning in the mountains. The coffee is wonderful this morning and we're taking the time to enjoy it. There are only a few odds and ends to get done today and none of them are real pressing. I got out yesterday and got the last (I hope) of the leaves blown and got the pond filters cleaned so that should be it for them for the year. It's almost time to start putting up the Christmas decorations, but not quite.

I also got the last of the fascia boards installed on the railroad. The throttle panels are installed all the way around. The Loconet cables and track power indicator wires are done ALL the way around the railroad. The Golden Spike has truly been driven, and it's time to start making it look like western Carolina in the late 1940's. This is going to be fun.

Der, I hadn't even considered what 3 cylinder steam might do. That could put everything out of phase, with possibly disasterous results. Sort of like a starship transporter that wasn't adjusted properly. Ohh, NOT GOOD. Fortunately there aren't too many 3 cylinder steamers still around.

Leonardbrand, I like your definition of a good day. Any day on which I can get vertical and take nourishment is a good day. If I can feed myself, dress myself and brush my own teeth, those are real pluses. I've had days that could have been better, but I've never really had a bad one. I remind myself of that often.

Jwaldo, that is a good looking GP-60.

Noah, I like the logo. Nice job. How is your ankle doing?

Fergie, I'm sorry to hear about the mountain bikes. Maybe the thieves will take them out and get run over by a train. I'm a believer in poetic justice and I have no patience for thieves. Hopefully they will get caught and quickly.

Bill, I'm sorry to hear about Ryan's run in with the deer. It almost always really damages the car and it almost always kills a beautiful animal. I'm very glad he's handling it well. You're right. That is one of the best things a parent can see, that our grown children have really grown into good responsible people who are going to be fine.

Camarokid, welcome to the coffee shop. That's an interesting name. Do you have one? They're great cars. Right now we're storing our son's '69 for him until he can get it out to Phoenix , which is where he lives now.

Lupo, the sign is too cool, as usual. It's also what we need at this point. How long doe it take on the treadmill to burn off 20,000 calories?

I'd better go for now and get some stuff done.
Have a great day, everybody,

Tom

[Anonymous]

Lupo:
Doesn't the guy on the sign know you shouldn't run with scissors in your hand?
[:0][;)]

Well I'm sure everyone's heard about GDRMCo.'s leaving the forums, he said he was getting uninterested about modeling and that he might return to the hobby someday. Maybe my always jumping around looking for a new line to model is what keeps me in the hobby while not having a laoyut after all....
BTW, now I'm thinking of modeling the BN...(although obviously the Q would still stick around on the layout).[:)]+

[camarokid]

tomwatkins: Thank you for the welcome. Yes I do have one. 1968 Sport Coupe. You can find the rest of the story in the "how did you choose your name?" posting.

[Anonymous]

Got my Jan MR today!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Noah Hofrichter]

QUOTE: sNoah - can you spell c-h-i-c-k-e-n--d-a-n-c-e ? (sing it in your head)

AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! you got the dumb song stuck in my head now!!!!!

Tom, bacically it's healed. Doesn't hurt, but I'm still being careful with it so as not to re-injure(sp?) it. Thanks for asking.

Got my MR(Jan) yesterday, and have been readign through it, I'm almost done already. It's very good, I especially like Bergie's article on the MR&T SD40-2.

Also have a little news to tell, My town is getting a new rail served industry, which means something more for me to watch. It'll be basically a rail transfer firm, working with the local foundry bringing in Coke and iron and the like. I can wait till they start construction, you can bet I'll be down after school everyother day checking it out.(or if it's the summer, I'll be down there a few hours a day watching the crew work.

Well, I'm going to go see a movie a little later, so I better get a move on, I'll see you all later.

Noah

I don't want to be a chicken I don't want to be a duck...........

[der5997]

Good afternoon everyone. [#welcome] to all the many new customers.
Peter:

QUOTE: hello evryone. i have been sat here at work with nothing to do for the last 7 hours. i have surfed the net. i have been for a walk to the water cooler i have subsequently had to make the first of what i am now sure will be 2 trips to the loo. i am bored out of my mind. i am thinking about breaking the photocopier just so i can fix it.
peter

"Trips to the loo" sounds Brit. Where's home

Fergie: Sorry to hear about the bikes. Let's hope there are recovered soon, and undamaged.

Another beautiful sunny day on our coast. Cold wind, and below freezing, but bright. Have got so caught up with outdoor chores that I even took the snowblower out yesterday and fired it up. Glad to say that it did, and everything seems to be going around that should be, and nothing is going around that shouldn't. Just like a well behaved layout! [:P]

Have started to put layers of foam on top of the long tunnel. This will be interesting, as the foam warps upwards a bit (1" thick, but it does) with the tension of the glue. I think that's what doing it anyway. If I cant fix it by fiddling the sides to close the gap the warp opens up, then I may have to do some basic geology, and cut a "fault" to relieve the tension, and re-glue at the fault line. Could be a neat effect, come to think of it.

The Vivitar didn't come by UPS last week, so I got out the tracking # and went to the web site. [B)][D)] It was a USPS # I had misread the original notice in haste, and have been staying home to take a delivery that isn't going to happen by courier at all! So now we wait for a notice of a parcel in the mail. Could be anytime, what with the Christmas traffic and all.[sigh]

Does anyone know if there is a F40PH in N made by anyone other than Model Power or Life Like? The most modern Walthers catalogue I have is 1999.
I will need a F40PH to paint up for VIA Rail, and get a decoder into. I would prefer to get something a bit more upmarket than MP or LL. (I typed more upscale at first, but reconsidered, not wanting to give the impression that I was thinking of not being Normanl. [(-D])

The pheasants are back ruining Kris' mom's birdfeeder, so the winter battle is joined!

Lupo: Thanks for the scissors gif [(-D]

Flip: Thanks too for the seniors' jokes email. Especially liked the peer pressure one [(-D]

TTFN, have a great weekend.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997


Does anyone know if there is a F40PH in N made by anyone other than Model Power or Life Like? The most modern Walthers catalogue I have is 1999.
I will need a F40PH to paint up for VIA Rail, and get a decoder into. I would prefer to get something a bit more upmarket than MP or LL. (I typed more upscale at first, but reconsidered, not wanting to give the impression that I was thinking of not being Normanl. [(-D])

As far as I know, only LifeLess makes them now. Actually, I'd kinda like one myself...

I am ready to kill my yard plan today. The turnout at the enterance has soldering iron damage, which causes my Metrolink coaches to rattle and derail. But that doesn't matter, because the yard turnouts will be too tight for them. So I will have to add a separate siding for the commuter cars...

[sigh]

[JimRCGMO]

Hi all - sorry I arrived late with the bagels, but I slept in a bit today. [:)] Part of the reason for my lateness was, I stayed up last night checking for the Revell kits I asked about - found several on eBay. However, I'm not seeing too many choices on the "Operating Engine House" Revell made - only one seller, it appears. I've also been looking for a manufacturer that makes (currently) the engine house, but no luck there. [|)]

We've been having rain today, John. If this winter is like the past few, most of our snow (that accumulates, anyway) will happen late December or after. We've been getting some dusting in December before that, but this batch the past few days went north of us, through St. Louis area.

JWaldo, don't feel too frustrated on the yard - I think figuring yards seems (from my past experience with them) to be 90 percent of the work in getting a layout designed and the track laid properly. Curves (even flextrack) isn't nearly as picky as getting the switches to line up *and* be able to run the cars through smoothly. Blessings on your re-working of that yard! [:)]

John, from your experiences with the foam, I may stick with plaster and/or hydrocal. [:0] I'd been thinking I wasn't sure about foam because of all the scraps/shavings and having to vaccuum them up, but I think you may have swung me over to using the lighterweight plaster scenery. Figure I'd be using plaster for rocks and such, anyway...

Everyone have a great afternoon, preferably getting some progress on your layouts! Got some errands to run, so I'll check back later (dinnertime or after)[dinner] and see who's been around.

Jim in Cape Girardeau (MO)

[Anonymous]

Jim: I think I solved my problems by adding a separate siding for the commuter cars. No sharp curves, and they don't have to go over the bad turnout...

[:)] Now I am reworking other parts of the plan *ominous music*

[fec153]

Bill- cars can be replaced, but children???? Just be thankful. I'm pretty sure you are.
It sure does set the pocketbook back tho.

Fergie- If it had happened in Miami, the first place to look for the bikes would be the Miami River. Tramp steamers to Haiti carry loads of them to the island. Thieves make a fortune with them.

Hope everyone has had enough to eat. Best wishes to all,
Flip

[Anonymous]

JimRCGMO, hi, new guy here. I was born in Cape and was raised outside of Jackson until I joined the military back in 95. Glad to see someone from the old home town doing train stuff.

[TrainFreak409]

Howdy everybody, I haven't been in here in a few days. Friday was Black Friday, and Purkey's was busier today, than Friday. I guess Black Friday doesn't really apply to train stores and hobby shops, since they don't hold 75% off sales, and stuff like that. We did have a very good crowd though, but it is always greater at Christmas time. Christmas = Trains, Thanksgiving does not. (At least to the general public. But to train nuts, freaks, geeks, buffs, enthusiasts, whatever, trains equal everyday of the year[:D]).
I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving.

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[TrainFreak409]

Does anyone have a Con-Cor U-50 Diesel? I am looking at one as my next locomotive, any reviews?

~[8]~ TrainFreak409 ~[8]~

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by camarokid

tomwatkins: Thank you for the welcome. Yes I do have one. 1968 Sport Coupe. You can find the rest of the story in the "how did you choose your name?" posting.

I myself would love to have either a '69 Mustang with a 428 Cobra Jet in it, a 66 Ranchero, or a '69 Torino with a 429 Boss engine when I turn 16. As you can see I'm a Blue Oval fan and not a bowtie or Mopar fan.[:D]

[Anonymous]

[}:)] Today i put about a pound of wieght ( not really, im exagerating < is that speeled right?) in an old athearn GP38-2, replaced the motor too and now i hauls 57 cars up a 4.5% grade. hehehe. I was going to see how many cars it would pull on level track but i didnt have enough (only have about 80). Now THIS is a fun little loco.

[Anonymous]

HI All

This is my second attempt at making a post here as I hit a wrong button and lost the first post. [:(]

Well as everyone can see and some, know more than others [;)] , I am back. [:)] If that doesn't make sense, I have already talked to some by instant message therefore they know "for sure" that I am back. [;)]

Scott [8D]

About which locos work best in reference to the turbine noise, I would definately stay away from GEs, you know they are referred to as "Toasters" and frequently live up to their name. Now a nice Alco would work just fine. I would suggest a lovely RS3, there is no classier loco ever made or dreamed of, in my book (had to avoid ending with a Prep [;)] ). Now the RSD15 with that long nose would work well or a great pulling C425 would fit the bill rather nicely. Should you not be able to obtain one of these then a EMD would be a lowly second but might work semi ok.


M [8D] (since you have not revealed your name here I will just use "M" ) [:)]

Also it is nice to see you post here. I hope someone offered you some coffee or a coke. [:)]

Smiley Central is very bad about "giving" adware/spyware with their smileys. That is one reason I don't accept Smiley Central smileys. However there is a program called Ad-a-ware that can get rid of them. But they (the smileys) can be difficult to deal with so I just try to avoid them altogether. Many programs that you download online will contain spyware. When you "accept" the download you have also accepted the spyware. That is one of those "clauses" in the fine print that we seldom, if ever, read.

If I remember correctly someone said that our host uses spyware but I cannot confirm that. There was a thread a while back about it though. One way to avoid the "aim" of spyware is to delete cookies on a regular basis. I think there are programs that may block spyware but don't quote me on that for sure.

Anyway I am now up to page 170 and ready to start 171.

So off I go to read some more. [;)]

Today quote, "Home is where the heart is, unfortunately the turkey is still in Missouri." [:p] [:D]

[Fergmiester]

Well It's late and I'm afraid I'll kiss the bikes good bye. Will have to wait for the new year before I get a new one hard to believe between both, their odometres had a combined distance of about 10,000 km. Not bad for the last 6 years. You'd think with all that riding I would be a svelt as a running back and not one of the Defensive Team!
And yes I hate to admit it, the thought of having the culprits mowed down or eaten did appeal to me[:D]

Oh well look at the bright side now I can justify going out and buying a really good one!

Not much else to report except it was a down day as I had a headache (tight back and neck) so little got done. I did send the proofs for the decals back for some minor adjustments and Gary has told me they should be complete by Monday. Hopefully I'll have them by the time I go back to sea.

Good to see your still with us James. I was getting a tad concerned as it is not your usual way to go AOL on us[:-^]

If I get the chance tomorrow I'll redo the wiring and track down the ground

Have a good night all
Fergie