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

[Fergmiester]

Well another productive night. Clear coated 22 cars and built a Train station. Though I spray painted the decals and cars with Testors dulcote they still give off a different lustre. I take it this means another coat?

I got the Soundtraxx working in the 2-8-0 last night and a gear replacement from NWSL. This was a better alternative to Bachmann wanting to replace the whole wheel arrangemt as they don't sell parts seperately. You're right Bob disposable technolgy isn't an economical reality for the consumer, or did I say that? No I think we both said that! Ahhh great minds....

Yes John I stand corrected it was "In like Flynn" and "Bob's your uncle" being the Old Boys network at it worse.


Anyway It's Bed time, Later gents

Fergie

[JimRCGMO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes


...<snip>...
Now more sad news about people many of us grew up watching on tv. *** Clark will not be able to host the New York New Years Eve celebration this year. He was put in the hospital in early December with a stroke, and is still there. He is 75 but doesn't look that age, however he is now definately looking older than he used to look. Remember how everyone said he just didn't seem to "age?" Well he is now. (We should all look as good as he does at 75.) Regis will be filling in for him on the celebration.
...<snip>...

Yeah, Jim, I heard *** Clark was instructed not to watch Regis doing New Year's without proper medication... (But *when* has Regis ever been on proper medication?)[swg]

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[Anonymous]

John [:D]

Acts29, one L o n g chapter. Do you have that in a condensed version? [;)]


One other thing about going back in time. I sure wish I could have given a one hour warning on a certain Sunday morning in 1941.

[JimRCGMO]

Evening, Coffee Clubbers!

Think I'll have some apple cobbler with my cup of coffee tonight.[:)] Thanks for bringing them in, Luc![bow][C=:-)] If the apple's any measure of the other flavors, they should all be great!

As I posted a couple of posts earlier tonight, I discovered a veritable gold mine of stuff in two more boxes when I went by the storage unit earlier today. Also found that our local Hobby Lobby had their train stuff at 40 percent off through the end of the year (YES!)[:D] and I picked up three box van trucks (2 'regular' and one refrigerated one, no names on them). I plan to get decals/dry transfers and make up local company names for them. Got all three of them for less than $8 (USD), which I thought was pretty good. They also have track, and I might see about going back tomorrow and see what else I need (or can justify buying, anyway).

Thanks for the info on the paint removal, Noah! Need to get me another bottle of that rubbing alcohol to strip a couple of engines (incluidng a not-so-great-quality F3 a friend gave me - I may do almost a complete rebuild of it with details and new couplers, etc.). In the stuff I found today I had a (pint?) container of Dio-Sol, which smells like there's a leak somewhere, but I couldn't find it so far.

In answer to the question about the tsunami, I heard that the tsunami waves move much faster - about at jet airplane speed (hundreds of mph in open ocean). I would guess that 'normal' ocean waves don't go that fast (or not for extended distances, anyway).
[#offtopic] By the way, if you like Michael Crichton's books, his new one "State of Fear" is a pretty good read.

Our sNoah here is melting a lot - we got to the 50's today (and with occasional bits of drizzly rain at times). Supposed to get even nicer tomorrow, though maybe with some rain, too.

If anyone here recalls the layout that was in Boy's Life magazine a *long* while back (about Dec. 1958 was when the series started, I was told), I found among the treasure trove the reprint booklet of that layout, with all the various articles which originally were spread out over several months, covering how to make buildings, girder bridge, trestle (from scratch), do rivers, make rock outcroppings from Homasote, and some other useful info. Once I find a scanner, I'll scan the pages in and clean them up so they'll be available if anyone else goes looking for that one. But Teffy, I think the maximum radius on it is 18 inches, and the inner loops are 15 inch radius, so we can forget those heavyweight observation cars, huh? [;)] Definitely oriented like a short line - I'd say not too many 50' cars, and no more than a GP9/7 in length (or maybe what - a 2-6-0?).

Well, my cup's about drained, so I'll head out for now. Have some productive work sessions to start off 2005, everyone!

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[trolleyboy]

Hi all just swinging by for a quick night cap, being that it is new years eve here already I've brought some newfie screetch along to use as an Irish coffee mix I'll leave it in the clay bottle marked 'toxic do not open' for all to enjoy trolleyboy

[philnrunt]

jhhtrains- I too remember the Colts sneaking like thiefs in the night out of Balt, to this day that is why I have never became a Colts fan. I figure when the Bears leave Chicago (hopefully not in my lifetime), it will be on a rail with tar and feathers, but at least they won't sneak out like others have. I used to know their entire roster in the 60's, today I know Brian Urlacher is their middle linebacker, but I still get that old familiar knot in my stomach whenever I stumble on one of their games. How will they loose this one, or, if they win, how close to a heart attack will they bring their fans?!?!? Da Bears.
Jim in Mo- I 'm guessing the lousy food was put in to keep the riff-raff out. Obviously it didn't work, as I came right in and ordered up a bunch of vittles, and never looked back. But it probably keeps some of the more boring folk motoring along til they can see those golden arches on down the road. The regulars know what to eat and what to shy away from....like that Burger Brule' that was the special a few weeks back. Uh uh, no sir, I'll take the spanish hot dog special.
Fergie- Would you just STOP it? Man, you make me tired with all you do! If you went to an amusement park and spent all day on the Death Coaster (200 MPH-UPSIDE DOWN- -BACKWARDS -AND ON FIRE!!!!!) you'd just use the flames to set the decals sooner!
[:)][:P][;)] You set high standards for the rest of us, and we might just have to break a finger or two to slow you down![(-D][:P][;)] Glad you've got that seamans sense of humor! Keep up the good work, but you just watch out, it's only a matter of time before I tear into the K2 sized stack of cars waiting to be built, then mister, then....well...then you watch out (No really, watch out 'cause if they fall, someone could get hurt!)
Everyone have a fantastic New Year, keep the troops and tsunami victims in your thoughts and we'll see you next year!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RDLkrbyvllRR

railguyho (Terry), just want to say [#welcome]. Glad you came. Will it be coffee, tea, or something else.

Robert

I am sorry that I wasn't able to get back to last night got busy and by the time I looked you were allready off line. The next cup is on me. Terry.

[Anonymous]

Hi all, an introduction is in order!

I'm originally from Spokane, WA and got the model railroading bug at around 8 (21 years ago) with an HO train set from the parents for Christmas. We went through a few iterations of the "Plywood Pacific" up through the high school years, and I was a member of Spokane's River City Modellers club for a couple years. Then college (Marquette Univ. in Milwaukee) and now military life with frequent moves, relatively small houses, and not a lot of time have relegated me to the armchair - but only for now![;)]

I'm still a devoted reader of MR, and am glad to have found this forum. I used to spend time on AOL's model railroads boards, before I changed ISPs. I'm pretty happy to have come across this place and look forward to comraderie as well as soaking up ideas for when I can finally build a layout. I manage to keep my modelling skills relatively rust free by tinkering with scale modelling, mostly 1/72 and 1/87 aircraft (a natural interest as I'm in Naval aviation)

As far as interests, I lean towards what I saw growing up - the BN and UP in Washington State in the 80s and early 90s. But the proto-freelancing thing seems pretty interesting too - I remember a MR article years ago about a layout set in Pennsylvania that took a rail line that "almost was" and brought it into modern times. So I've also been thinking of the abandoned Milwaukee line through the Cascades. I can model the area I want, exercise the freedom and creativity of freelancing, yet still "anchor" it in the real world. I've had fun reading the "news release" thread from other proto-freelancers - it's helped spark the creative juices a bit!

I haven't narrowed down scale yet - my previous efforts were all HO, and I still have some equipment. I also like the detailing possibilities in that scale. But I also like the idea of the really long trains, and the ability to have big western-style scenery in N scale. Well, it IS a ways off for me, and I suppose a lot will depend on what kind of space I get, when i finally get it!

Well, that pretty much does it for now, just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I'm also over on Finescale Modeller's forum under the same name. Looking forward to learning from, and laughing with, everyone! Happy 2005!
[(-D]

[Fergmiester]

[#welcome]Karl, glad you could join us!

Phil: this is my dilema I would rather be home with the family but if I was the amount of work completed would be slashed by 80%. When you're sitting in the cabin in the evening they're's not much else doing. I hate being bored!!!!!!

Tsunamis can travel at a speed of 600 mph but in deep water but could be only 6" in height. If you're on a ship you wouldn't see or feel it go by. What happens is once the wave starts to feel the effects of shallow water it will start to slow and thus the energy contained with transfer from speed into height. What we fail to realize is that one cubic metre of water (approx. a cubic yard) weighs a ton. Kind a boggles the mind.

Anyway believe it or not this it Gents the last day of the year. So once again thank You it's been a slice!

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

Kolja94:
[#welcome] Not all of us dring coffee uggggggggggggggg. The more refined drink HOT TEA, like John and I.


My hobby is at a good place, I've got so much to do that I can do just about whatever I feel in the mood for. I was going to paint the turntable but I've misplaced the paint so I started a Campbell thru truss bridge yesterday afternoon. I stayed up until 11:30 working on that bridge. This morning I'm pealing Ambroid glue off the fingers. I haven't been up that late in ages. I've had this kit for the best parts of 30 years, to give you an idea I paid $7.25 for this kit. I had an Atlas bridge on the layout just to see if it looked good and if I wanted to have a bridge there, it looked so good I went looking for this kit (Jim: I found a lot of goodies I didn't know I had), it took me three days to find it. Working is wood is a very pleasing experience.

Fergie:
Doesn't the wave lose energy as it travels through the ocean? It would seem to me that the longer it traveled the less effect it would have. Now I'm looking at it from a mechanical view point.

We (Stephanie and I) had no idea how strong water could be until we took up white water canoeing. If the only time you "see" hostile water is in the faucet in the tub and you can control it with the flick of a wrist, you have no idea about how much force a broadside canoe has when it's full of raging water.

Flip:
The car is in the package, I'll try and get to the post office today.

Phil:
You forgot about the Browns. At least they had to leave the name and the history in Cleveland. I think that that's the way it should be.

When the Houston Oilers were talking with Nashville, their was an exclusive "talks" contract, and when Bud Adams asked to be able to talk to another city to stir up compatition, Nashville said "Go ahead we want to talk to ?????? (hell if I remember). Half-himers is kicking in again. It amazes me what cities will do to lure a sports team. I think Green Bay has the right idea. This is football, it's ment to be played OUTSIDE, woosies have to play inside.

Mo Jim:
Isn't it nice to rummage thru old boxes? You find all kinds of interesting things that you forgot about - I just did that and then you mention about doing the same thing.

Having a small layout is what got me into an older time period. With my 4X8 I had to use short cars and small locos so they wouldn't dominate the area. I've got every car that Central Valley (old wooden cars) ever made, they all have truss rods. I used a United 2-8-0 because it was a small loco and fit in with the cars. For me a 40' car was a loooong car. To this day I still like two bay 35' hoppers and 36' reefers and boxes. They do make for a nice looking train.

Paul:
I talked to an aquentence friend of yours yesterday. Tom Stamey had some stuff on eBay last week, and the price that he was asking was a little high so I called him when the auction was over to see about breaking the lot up and in the conversation live steam came up so I ask him about you - lo and behold he knows you. SMALL WORLD Is he one of the guys that you're going to bring down sometime?

Well since I'm on my second cup of TEA, I'm going to go work on the bridge. I haven't cut myself yet. It seems strange not to have blood on a project, maybe with age come wisdom.

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

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's a beautiful, warm, sunny day in the mountains. We should get up into the high 50's this afternoon. I'll take that for New Year's Eve. It won't last, but it will be nice for a few days and then Winter will return.

Welcome to all the new folks here in the coffee shop. Have a cup on me and enjoy. I think the heavyweight coaches are a good idea for the expansion. They'll look good and work fine. If you look out of the window just right, you should be able to see the "Crescent" going by with a Ps-4 on the point, heading for New Orleans. Sure is pretty.

It's been several days since I've taken the time to post. Shawna was under the weather for a couple of days, and then I was. Turn around, miss a few days and there's 3 or 4 pages to catch up on. I certainly agree that society has it's priorities mixed up as far as salaries are concerned. Sports stars are ridiculously overpaid, and terribly spoiled, and teachers, military personnel, and fire and police are horribly underpaid and frequently under appreciated. There have been two police officers shot and killed in the Atlanta area in the last two weeks.

I'd better go for now. There are a few thing to get done this morning before I head to the basement.

I hope everybody has a very happy and safe new year's, and we'll get together in '05 for more fun.

Have a great day everybody,
Tom

[lupo]

Hello all,



and a warm welcome to all the new clubbers [:)] that popped in !





and some advice for the new year:



I really enjoined the company and conversation over the last year,
Met some great people overhere
Always looked forward to visit the shop , though I have not been posting an awelfull lot lately,
I hope I regain some energy in the upcoming year and get something more done than I achieved this year. ( and not only MRR wise I mean )


I wish you all a very happy, blessed, healthy, safe, productive, funny, etc 2005
I think I mean I wish everyone gets their wishes come true.

take care and stay safe !

now I am off to to celebrate with family and friends, as we have only a few hours left before 2005 knocks at the door.



LUPO

[Noah Hofrichter]

Der, enjoy the 2005 GMR, it's really good. I got mine from the LHS a few weeks ago.

Jim, your SNOW melting too? Are's is all gone, a side from where it was piled up. High fifties yesterday, was watching the train and could have done it without a coat. It was that warm!.

Karl, [#welcome], the coffe(or tea, or soda) is always on, so come on in and sit and talk for a while. We're all glad to have you.

Well, I've got the walls of the main building of the building I'm doing done, now for the smaller building and a roof. I guess I better get going!

Noah

[Anonymous]

Karl [#welcome]

Dan will be pleased to have another brown shoe in the club. He gets to drop fish, he "fishes". [;)] (Or he used to drop fish, now I think he flies a desk.)

Bob [:p]

Tea huh? Well don't forget, "The best part of waking up, is FOLGERS in your cup." [:D] (Do they still play that commercial, after all these years?)

Lupo [:)]

Once again you come through with some gif to make us laugh. [:D]

Happy New Year everyone. Don't drink and drive.

[Fergmiester]

Bob: You're right in your assumption, however a 9 on the Richter. That was an incredible amount of water to be displaced and considering water doesn't compress terribly well it was proably a good thing it did loose some energy before it hit.

Anyway I madw a run to the LHS thisafternoon and picked up some satin finish clearcoat in hopes to solve my decal dilema.

Anyway my fingers are crossed.

Fergie

[jdolan]

Hope all the people here Have avery good last day of 2004 and a very happy start to 2005. Have fun and run trains .

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the welcomes.

Happy new years to everyone, hope they are all happy, sane and safe.

Heading down to NJLS with a buddy tonight (New Jeresy Live Steamers) So that should be pretty fun!

Chris

[Noah Hofrichter]

Jim, you bet that comercial is still on, and boy does it become annoying after a while.....

Well, I'm in here again, rare for me. I guess I'll ahve a cup of Hot Cholcolate, and get going again.

And a

HAPPY NEW YEAR

to all!! Keep safe out there tonight.

Noah

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY
I think Green Bay has the right idea. This is football, it's ment to be played OUTSIDE, woosies have to play inside.

The other right idea I think Green Bay has is that its owned by its fans. I wi***hat were the rule rather than the exception - might make sports less of a "big business." Probably too late now. I don't think you could convince George Steinbrenner or Jerry Jones to sell off their interest in the form of shares to the fans!

Thanks for the warm welcome, all! [:D]

[grayfox1119]

Hello, I am new to the forum, just getting back into MR since my boyhood (age 10, I think) when I received a Lionel set and only had room to set it up under the bed, uggghhh. Now, 55 years later, I have time and space to really do something great ( I hope). My name is ***, I use the handle of grayfox1119 ( at age 55, what else CAN I be but gray and foxy!!![:I] I live in a little town in Massachusetts called Leicester, the Cherry Valley section of town. It is located in the middle of the state. I subscribe to MR, and then found this forum which I found very interesting, helpful, and friendly. I look forward to chatting with you all in the upcoming year.
A very Happy New Year to everyone, may it be prosperous and healthy to you and your loved ones.

***

[Anonymous]

hey all.

Terry (railguyho), I'll take you up on your offer. Glad to have you here.

I've reached an agreement to buy the VBR. The price will not be disclosed.

I want to say, [#welcome] again, to all the newbies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone.

Robert

[PennsyHoosier]

Friends,

Thanks for a GREAT 2004. Looking forward to more friendship, fun, and fine modelrailroading talk here at the coffee club over 2005!

[Anonymous]

PennsyHoosier: Cool graphics. What's the website. And do you have to make them, or are they already made, and you just have to pick one.

Teeeellllll meeee, please!!!

Robert

[egmurphy]

Hello Coffee Clubbers,

Here's wishing you all a very Happy New Year. I've certainly enjoyed hanging out here in 2004, and I expect to continue enjoying it in 2005.

All the best,

Ed

[Anonymous]

Noah and Jim:
I think the Daisy sour cream commercials beat that one for being annoying...

I've "updated" my ideas for modern CB&Q paint schemes; and the "history" of the line:

Paint Schemes:

Locomotives
"Blackbird" scheme
"Redbird" scheme
"Frisco Heritage" scheme
Silver (for business train equipment)

Cars

Boxcars:
Chinese Red with white doors

Intermodal, coil, Auto-Rack, and bulkhead cars:
Mineral Red

Gondolas and Flatcars:
Chinese Red

Hopper cars (coal)
Silver with red ends

Hopper cars (covered)
Im. Aluminum with silver roofwalks

MoW:
Orange

Also, now my history is that the Hill Lines were all owned by the Great Northern Railways Group (made by James J. Hill), which decided not to merge the railroads. In 1995 GNRG bought the Santa Fe, while in 1980 the CB&Q had absorbed the Frisco, FW&D and C&S, while the NP merged with the SP&S in 1970.

Christopher

[Paul W. Beverung]

Welcome to all the new guys, again. Boy we're really drawing a crowd. ( Is that SP right? It doesnt look right. ) . Anyway Welcome.

Karl; Are you a throttle jockey? We've got an A-10 driver up in Penn, and I used to fly Hueys in the Army. That was about a million years ago. Seems like modeling an abandoned railroad would save alot of track work.

***; Just goes to show that there is no cure for the malady. Welcome back to the fold. Things have changed alot in the interem. It's mostly for the good. Have you given any thought to scale or prototype?

Teffy; I've known Tom for a long time. He's a good one for sure. We keep our steam locomotives at the same place. When he's running he has two speeds. Full on and stopped.

I've been doing some on the layout. Mostly tearing out the ore yard and dock lead and laying out a new arrangement. Maybe this time I'll get it right, or at least better.

I have to go to work tomorrow. That 's what I get for working for a theme park. So with that I'll say good night.

It is my wi***hat you all have a very Happy New Year and many more of them. I'll keep hoping that the new year brings our people home from all those distant shores. Safe and Sound.

Paul

the Duluth, Superior, & Southeastern

" The Superior Route "

[Anonymous]

Lawrence [:)]

Lupo has been our man for gifs and the king of the gifs. Looks like you are gonna give him a run for the money. [;)] Let me warn you tho, he is experienced and knowledgeable. It will take so hard work to dethrown the king of gifs. Good Luck to the both of you. It sure will be good entertainment for us to watch. [:D]

Now about those firecrackers . . . they have been going off here since about twilight. I walked Dutchess just a few minutes ago and as soon as I went outside the smell of gunpower hit me. WOW, pretty stiff it was too. But the bad thing about tonigh is, here at midnight, you would sware that WWIII just started. All the idiots file outside and shoot every gun in the house up into the air. You said that is very stupid? Yes, I agree, tell them that. The police can't even get to all the shots fired calls because there are so many. I will be under the bed come midnight, sandbags and all. [;)]


Happy New Year to one and all. [:)]

May it be a safe and fun filled year meeting and excelling your every need.

Good night and God Bless.

[Anonymous]

Well I guess I get credited with the first post of the new year. The gunfire is over. Dutchess was a little excited over all the fireworks and gunfire but I think all is well. There is a siren coming this way but don't know where it is headed. There should be enough spent shell caseings on the ground to make many reloaders happy. Well maybe I spoke too soon, I am hearing sporadic gunfire.

Dutchess wants to go outside no less. [:(] I think we shall wait a few more minutes before we do though. What goes up, will come down so I shall give "it" a few more minutes to be safe.

I have started a website and will share the link with you so you can check it out.
Not every photo is picture perfect. I have posted some by request to help some people model some specific items.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v222/JimHwood/

Ok, well I will add more as time goes by. I choose this host because I will also post some photos of airplanes and possible other things as well. I hope you all enjoy the site and find something of interest.

Thanks for looking. [:)]

[Fergmiester]

Looks like James got first dibs on the New Year Year, I'll Second it! All in favour say I. Opposed? Goodbye, Motion Carried!


Welcome to 2005, May it be a peaceful one


Fergie

[tomwatkins]

Happy New Year, Everybody,

Welcome to 2005, it's going to be a great year. Amen to that Fergie. May it be a peaceful year. Wouldn't that be truly wonderful.

New Years Eve was quiet, but very nice. Shawna went to a party at some friends, and stayed over. Good kids that we've known a long time, so we were comfortable with it.
Louise and I watched TV and listened to some music, and crashed early. Not terribly exciting, but nice.

I'm ready to start putting the base ground cover on the mountains. I've got some dried and sifted red clay and some blended foam that I'll use to start with. It's about time to start up the tree production line again. One thing about modeling the eastern mountains is you need lots of trees.

I've also gotten a BLI light mikado up and running in the last few days. It's the Southern #4501 in green and gold paint. When they announced the paint schemes, both the numbers for the Southern were in green. Somebody advised them that wasn't accurate, so they redid the two in the 4700 series into black and brought out the 4501 in green. It was nice to see that they responded, and very quickly. Is the 4501 accurate for my time period - nope, not even close. The passenger power, mountains and pacifics, were green and gold. The freight hogs were black. When the Southern put the 4501 into excursion service in the mid 70's, they painted it in the passenger scheme. Do I care that it's not accurate? Surprisingly little. It's so pretty. the paint, and particularly the striping and emblems are beautifully done. It really looks good pulling the Branchline coaches. If I'd been running the Southern, there would have been a lot more green locomotives, but the one in the basement is my railroad.

I'd better go for now. I hear Louise starting to wake up a little bit. The coffee is ready and very good this morning. I think bacon and egg biscuits will be a good way to start off the new year .

Again, Happy New Year to everyone. 2004 was a lot of fun here in the coffee shop and '05 will be even better. Pray for peace, and for the people whose jobs take them in harm's way for the rest of us.

Tom