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

[grayfox1119]

Well, today I decided after listening to the 7 day weather forecast for New England, that I had better get the Christmas decorations IN from outside. I learned that hardway several years ago that waiting a few more days can translate into several months when the ice and heavy snow come in for long visit. No fun, and plenty of hot coffee.
On the otherhand , there is nothing like sitting in a well windowed family room, looking out over the spruce tree meadow and watching the snow fall, while the aroma of hot coffee brewing on the wood stove fills the air, as I read the latest issue of MRR, ahhh the joys of winter in scenic New England!!
I hope all you guys had a safe and happy New Year, and are gung Ho to get on your new projects for 2005, I sure have my work cut out for me.
Hey John, send a little snow down from Nova Scotia, we just lost all of ours with this last warm spell here in central Mass!!!

***

[Anonymous]

Afternoon all. Well, my dad's back in the hospital. He had more chestpains. The doctor found something this time on a EKG. So, maybe they can find out what's going on. I ask you all to pray for him, again.

Paul, glad you could see it this time.

TTFN

Robert

[grayfox1119]

Sorry to hear about your dad Robert, I will certainly keep your dad in my prayers!!

***

[der5997]

Robert: Check your email!
Bob and Simon here's a TEA site (It's where I got the Russian Caravan, Bob.)
www.murchies.com
They will be glad, I'm sure, to supply all your speciality tea needs! (Do you know these stores, krump?)
I hear Rosie-the-dog complaining of neglegt in the food bowl department. Lunch dessert wasn't pineapple as I thought it would be, but remains of celebratory cake, and no-sugar-added ice cream. So, Simon, I rounded out the meal with crackers and a piece of the Stilton Cheese that was in my Christmas stocking [[yeah][^]
TTFN

[Anonymous]

Hello everybody,

Firstly Happy New Year from Gloetown.

Also [#welcome] to newcomers and [#welcome] back to "oldcomers".

It has been a busy time with visits out and in. CFO is feeling overwhelmed with visiting family and friends and the return visits. But in all it has been a good season for fellowship and meditation not to mention some food intake abuses (blood sugars flying high, MD won't be happy on Tuesday[tdn]). This is our first year with MRRing and CFO tried her best to get relevant items but did miss the mark on one, I'll need to visit LHS to exchange it but otherwise good things.

My son said he had an idea to make the table stronger and more stable so he has asked me to wait till he comes over to made the modification though he won't tell me anymore about it.

Now that I'm sort of caught up in my reading;

Robert - Sorry to hear about your dad, he is in our prayers and please keep us informed.

Ken - Glad the phone call worked out. BTW I acted upon you suggestion to add casters on the table legs, works great, thank you.

Bob - With Reference to Rex, I've no communicated with Rex, just supplied Ken with a couple of ideas on how to find the number. I've not met John nor Fergie yet but this is sooooooo early in the year [:-^][:-,][:-,][:D]

John - What? No Steam????????????? Surely that is not Normal!!! [}:)][;)][;)]

Jim in MO - CFO says thanks, She added those were magic in that they could be whatever pie you wanted at that time. She may bake more soon.[swg][swg]

I see the tea is all gone, yes, I enjoy a spot every so often, in fact I've been known to add a dram or two to it[:-^][:-^][:-^][:-^]

Hope you enjoy your evening

Happy MRRing

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Clubbers,

Pass me that cinnamon roll over there, would you please? It'll go great with my mocha (tasty!).[dinner][:)]

Do they archive out pages periodically? When I left, we were at page 217 or so, but when I tried to come back using my bookmark, I got an error. When I took the long way to the shop, it showed we were only on page 215...?? I promise, I didn't dream it![?][%-)]

Lupo, we'll just have to be jealous - except for those of us in New England who like to watch the snow fall, that is...[;)] Hope you have a great time.

Noah, you'll just be posting after dinner like me, it appears. But that's okay too, right? [:)] Maybe you'll find someone new to your school to corrupt (I mean, to get interested in model railroading...).[:D]

Hey Teffy (or anyone else who's done this) - any tips on how to split a layout into modules and still keep the flavor of the original layout? (I'm working on how to use elements of the Jerome & Southwestern and that old Boys' Life layout, but in smaller connectable/re-arrangeable 2 X 4 sections). I may try making some color copies of some of the illustrations and storyboard them next to each other and try to figure how the track would run. One thing with the J&S is that the mine line (as is) curves and appears to be a pretty steep grade, and I'm wondering how to get the sense of the curving line, witin about 2 feet of depth on the sections.

Oh, a friend of mine came up from Memphis this weekend and brought some presents - including a battery operated train with track, that I could put around my Christmas tree base for next year![yeah][:D]

Robert, sorry to hear about your Dad, but maybe they can get it figured out this time and fix it. I'll be praying for his recovery and healing.

No pretty snow here today; we just have some grey fog instead.[sigh] Had to even turn the ceiling fan on this afternoon.

Think I'll finish my mocha and go look at some plans for more ideas on the layout.

You all have a great Monday (even for those of us going back to work...)[zzz]

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[fec153]

Hi gang, made it back safely but it was close. [#welcome]! to the newbies. Jelly donuts my treat.
Dept. 56 has a Boston Red Sox , Cubs and a Comminsky Park for those interested.All
seperate items.
Here is something y'all might like-
May those who love us, love us, and those that don't love us, may God turn their hearts,
and if He doesn't turn their hearts may He turn their ankles so we shall know them by
their limping. Old Gaelic Blessing.
Peace and happiness to all.
Flip
PS- shower & bedtime. Night all.[|)][zzz].

[Fergmiester]

Good Evening All

Another DCC/sound unit installed in the Kanawha 2-8-4, just have to get it home to program it. I was also able to switch out five sets of boggies this evening on my 50 ton Ore cars. Got rid of the cheap plastic one that snap in and traded them out for 50 ton sets by filling in the holes with brass and aluminum tubing then screwing the boggies into the tubing tacked in with glue. What a difference in performance!

Robert: Sorry about your Dad hopefully all will be well and they can correct his problem easily.

Turbo: Sorry I never got back to you sooner but Ed beat me to it. Thanks Ed

Anyway time to call Teffy and ask him some advice, that's if I can find his phone number!

Good Night everyone

Fergie

[der5997]

***:

QUOTE: Hey John, send a little snow down from Nova Scotia, we just lost all of ours with this last warm spell here in central Mass!!!

Sorry old chap, but no can do. What little we have is frozen solid, and is due to be replaced by rain before we could chip it and load it into reefers. [oops]

Fergie wasin here just now, which explains the trail of oatmeal cookie crumbs. And [#welcome] moranlime, don't seem to have seen that handle in here before. First cup's free, but the second will cost you some introductions [(-D]

Ballasting went well, except I've ripped out all the sections with double sided tape. It doesn't bond to t he foam well enough to stand up to use. Nice smooth look to the ballast 'though. I'll have to wait for morning for the glue to dry on the replacement for that, and toughorly dry on the other sections I did today. Looking good so far, and no nasty white bits, so it must have been a reaction with the ash in the yard that caused the trouble before.

Wiser, I shall get off to bed, tomorrow being house work, I was told this afternoon. [:D]

Goodnight, and God Bless.

[Anonymous]

Evenin' Y'all, How's things goin?

Pardon any misspellings in advance, the dog's helping me type tonight. Well, I got the town laid out and planned out today, now I've just got to get some more buildings to complete it. I am planning on putting a trolley down the middle of the street, but am having a hard time finding an HO narrow car that will work (or any at all for that matter). I got some pics taken and moved them over to my railimages site www.railimages.com/gallery/gregleck It was about to need some updating. School starts back tomorrow[xx(], don't know if I really should complain though, it'll be a relief from all the work that goes along with winter on the farm.

Robert: Sorry to hear about your dad, I'll keep him in my prayers.

Flip: Do you serve Krispy Kremes?

Well, I probably better go, it'll be getting late before I know it.
Greg

[Anonymous]

Back to school in the new year. Oh well... Happy (belated) New Year!

[PennsyHoosier]

Evening all. Boy, has this vacation evaporated with little to show for it in terms of actual work done. But, man, have I read A LOT. Guess I could do worse.

Take care and see you tomorrow!

[Paul W. Beverung]

Robert; Your dad will be in my thoughts and prayers. Tell him that we are all thinking of him.

Karl; We lived in Shorewood on the north side of Milwaukee. When my dad got back from the Pacfic after WW 2. We lived in a project set up by the village for returning vets. It was right beside the C& NW main line going north out of Milwaukee. Could be that had an effect on Me? We later moved to my grandmother's house on Murray Ave. It had a big basement and I did my best to fill it.

Jim; Make a bunch of copies of the track plans and get the sissors. Cut, arrange and connect the dots. I've done thas and it works well.

***: While you'er sitting there looking over the spruce medow and sipping your coffee I'll be turning on the A/C and having a cold Coke and looking at where the snow used to be. RATS.

Der; There is a car load of incentive on it's way. It may take awhile as we routed it via UP. Well it may be in that freight that just went by. OOps. It's a west bound.

Jdolanl; Two daughters and the wife. One on the scenery, one on kits and the wife doing all her stuff. You GOLDERNRACKINFRACKIN lucky duck. So what does that leave you. Playing?

That's enough for tonight. I've got to get to bed so I can go to work again tomorrow. Mary Ann just turned on the A/C. This weather has been strange. I'm planning on heading up to Denton with a couple of friends to the hobby shop this Saturday. Fun.

Paul

the Duluth, Superior,& Southeastern

" The Superior Route "

[PennsyHoosier]

Robert,

My family and I will keep your dad in our prayers!

[grayfox1119]

Hey Paul, remember, we just sent some heavy duty snow as far south as Brownsville TX , and I believe it was their 1st snow ever on record. We like to share things up North, [(-D][(-D]. Seriously though, don't you think you ought to now buy some snowplows for your layout.......sorry, I just could not resist that one!!

John, don't fret over the snowload, we have more due Wednesday, good time to work on the new layout.

Yawn, 11:30, time to hit the sack, only a one dog night tonight 28 degrees!! See you all tomorrow,

***

[philnrunt]

OK, again I am amazed at how much has been added since last Thur. You folks are GOOD!
greyfox and Kolja- welcome, hope to pick your brains and hear your ideas.
Fergie- I'm just sending all my RR equipment to you, you can take 10 % of what I send as payment, you can even letter them MESS-Southern. You astound me. And you use your time wisely.
Teffy- Any city negotiating a new football franchise should try to set it up like Green Bay, but no one seems to, so I guess there is some legal impediment to a town owning the team. Or the taxpayers won't go for it. Oh well.
Tom in Ga- You are absolutely right, the Crescent looks great running by. So do those freights with the high hood SD's on the point! Both simple but classy schemes.
Christopher- I like your re-write of BN's history, looks like you put some thought into it. And it makes good sense.
Simon1966- You have a very tolerant and good wife. Now, if she was a coffee drinker, there might have been trouble. Tea has that calming effect, after all.
Emeraldisle- good to hear from you. Seems like it's been awhile. All ok or just been busy?
der5997- about reloading shells, the barrel of the weapon keeps them from expanding, but they do lenghthen over a period of time, and you have to trim them. Some military ammo is un-reloadable, your LE .303 may well have been that type. Eventually, all shells become what I like to call extra weight for my rolling stock! Fill them with something heavy, crimp the end and stack them over the trucks.
Lawrence- I got your firecrackes, but lupo's gif's came in as the dreaded red check box. I can only assume that you have started to block his gif's locally, and when you see it works, will go worldwide! Hoosier ingenuity! Are you thinking of making the long drive to the GATS show in Indy? I'll be in Anderson, so I just might shoot on down. We'll see.
Jim in Mo- I see you agree about Fergie, he is a railroading machine! Also, MR had an article a few months back about a layout keeping key scenes (to keep the flavor of the RR) but deleting the trackage between them, he used simple scene blocks, making each module like a small stage. If you're not married to long runs,this might be a way to go.
I, too, would like to see a peaceful '05, but I believe we need to prepare for a very violent and dangerous one. Seems like everyone is out to get everyone else. It's so sad the world has slid this way, but it dosn't look like it's gonna change anytime soon. Sorry, but my job tends to make me see the more stark side of mankind. But, we'll keep a good thought. Miracles can happen.
Robert- You and your dad are in my thoughts, hope it works out for the best.

[trolleyboy]

Hi all I've been off doing the family thing lately so haven't been able to drop by.Trainwreck since I'm one of the resident streetcar fr(nuts) maybe I can be of assistance. If you don't want super expeansive but functional Bachman's standard old Brill trolley is still with us and once detailed up isn't too bad of a thing to look at [:)] I never checked though so if your not in HO[oops] just trying to help. Anyway a question from me anyone know where one could get ones hands on a Ken Kidder HO scale birney car(hopefully I'm not getting as many confused looks as at my LHS)[:I][8D]any way going to grab atea and say good night all. Rob

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning All

Such kind words! Well I'm on the home stretch and I'll be off in 2 days but with little time to spare as I'll be on course starting Monday.

I found Teffy's number and didn't get off the phone until after midnight! Anyway we agreed that Soundtraxx might have to change the name of their new line of Sound Systems, as Tsunami will be a name of infamy from now on.

Nice thing about being on ship is there are very few distractions in the evening. This is why I can get alot accomplished in short time. I also find I'm most focused after 8 pm, which can easily carry me to midnight if I'm not careful.

Mmmm... Let me see MESS-Southern works for me as I can have MESS-Western (my chain of motels) MESS Northern and MT-Mess. I'll be running the Continent in no time at this rate!

Der John: I see Gray Fox, this new kid from Maine thinks he's going to dump snow on us! Well he'd better take a number as sNoah's the only registered snow drifter and might take offence to some one else snowing on his parade!

Later Gents

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

I'm going to try to remember to bring some mat board home from the shop. We also do picture framing. I think that if I get the right color mat board I can take a deceint picture of the bridge. I went upstairs and this new bridge is going to fit in just fine. Just like one of the local guys said "Bob you'll be looking all over the layout to see were you can put more bridges." That's what I was doing last night.

Robert:
Sorry to hear about you Dad. We'll put him in our prayers. I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster that you must be on.

Fergie:
I very much enjoyed the phone call last night. And I appreciate the information on the Tsunami and how they move.

Mo Jim:
We had a club layout one time that used a little piece of kraft paper to cover the gap between the modules. It worked very well for a short period on time but didn't hold up to the rigers of constenly taking it up and down. After several other ideas we finally said the heck with it and let a very small crack show.

Wasn't the J&S the layout that was built by that guy that worked for Disney? I think that he a Malcomb Ferlow were good friends or were competing for space in MR. My halfhimmers is in full swing today.

Rob:
Every once in a while they'll show up on eBay.

I sure hate going to work after being off for a week but the creditors demand that I do something.

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

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
it's a foggy morning in the mountains this morning. The weather today is going to be what the weather guessers call "changeable", which means stick around and see what happens next. That's OK, the coffee is really good, the house is nice and warm, the chores are pretty much done, and I'll be off to the basement before long. The base coat of ground cover on the mountain is done. Now I've got to start building up some taller grass and brush. Then it will be time to open the tree production line for a while. So far it's looking good.

I've also started ballasting the track in that area. Not so good. I had some Woodland scenics material left over from a long time ago. and figured I'd use it up. I've switched to Arizona Rock and Mineral's ballast for the rest of the railroad. It's actually pounded and ground up rock, so it's both finer and heavier than the Woodland Scenic material. I like it a lot better, so, it's back to square one on the ballast. Fortunately there's only a short strech that's been glued down and it's way back near the wall. I should be able to overcoat it lightly with the AR&M after I vaccuum up the rest of it that's not glued yet, and then continue on.

Simon, I'm glad to see that there is another dirt sifter in the coffee shop. Nothing that I've found looks as much like real dirt as dirt. Especially if the dirt in question is red clay. Actually, using a cookie sheet to dry dirt doesn't really hurt it. I don't recommend using a good mixing bowl to mix sculptamold though. Higher Management doesn't like that at all.

Fergie, you are very productive! The ore cars look good, and now they roll good. Excellent.

Teffy, the plaque is mounted at eye level just to the left of the door to the railroad room, right where it can't be missed by anyone. It gets a lot of comments, all positive so far. Everybody likes it, especially me. The Ps-4's weren't that fast. With 73" drivers, they topped out at about 80mph or so. They pulled extremely well. They didn't need to be double headed very often.

Lupo, have a good trip and enjoy the sunshine. We'll expect a full report when you get back.

Paul, I'm sorry, but I can't find the article on raising a layout. I've looked back through my collection, and I just haven't found it. I do remember that it involved using wood blocks which were drilled through for pieces of threaded rod. A large flat washer and nut were screwed onto the rod on the top and bottom of the block. The blocks were mounted on the existing legs and the layout was jacked up a little at a time working from one end of the layout to the other. When the desired height was reached, permanent leg extensions were mounted to each leg using plywood splices to secure them to the existing legs. The author said it took a lot of time, wasn't much fun, but it worked. I wish I could find it, because it gave a lot of detail on sizes and dimensions, but I can't put my hands on it.

RdlkrbyvllRR, please keep us posted about your Dad. You will all be in our thoughts and prayers.

I'd better go for now, it's time to head downstairs.

Have a great day, everybody,
Tom

[grayfox1119]

Ferggie, you got me back on that one, Grayfox lives in central MA inthe hills west of Worcester ( pronounced Wooster) Old English name like all the towns in New England.
I will not try to be the snow loader, I don't want to step on Noah's pile right Noah ?

Time to go, I have at rain room to build!!!!!


***

[der5997]

philnrunt:

QUOTE: Eventually, all shells become what I like to call extra weight for my rolling stock! Fill them with something heavy, crimp the end and stack them over the trucks.

There are interesting looking flat car loads waiting to be picked up at building sites, etc. Spent shells from those gadgets that fire nails into concrete. The shells are on a plastic strip. Cut the strip to the length of load that fits your scale, paint as you see fit, and load onto the flat car. This might even induce the construction of an industry that uses or makes those "Whatevertheyares" [:P]

***: Thanks for holding off on the snow. Noah has a declared commercial interest in the stuff. Frankly, he's welcome to it [(-D] We did get some slushy overnight, but it's turned to rain now, and seems set on that. Good ridance, says I.

Tom, do you have an address for Arizona Rock and Minerals? Sounds like what I was after before I reluctantly bought the WS ballast. The only real rock ballast in the Wathers catalogue at the LHS was from Europe, and proved to be unobtainable anyway.

Fergie: Have a safe voyage. May your evenings remain undisturbed!

Now I must phone around the Chamber of Commerce Executive for a meeting tonight. Oh Joy!

TTFN.

[Anonymous]

Hi Guys [8D]

Sorry, I am not up to speed with the latest coffee shop news. It has been raining here since Saturday and by Sunday morning I could not establish an internet connection. The phone company says it has taken care of the problem but now I don't have time to read all the news. I have to start getting ready for work. Soooo, I will check in after work and see what is happening with everybody.

Until then,

Have a good day and stay dry if possible. [;)]

[Anonymous]

Hi y'all, back in school now.

TrolleyBoy: I need one in HO narrow, doesn't matter which size, just as long as it's narrow. According to the LHS, I might have to modify an HO scale and put it on HO narrow trucks. Oh well, it can't be too hard, I hope.

Well, the hour's nearly over, I'll try to check back in this evening.
Greg

[Anonymous]

well, like many of you, vacation is over and back to work for me!

[Anonymous]

Hey guys;

I am new to this forum but an avid modeler for many years. Just wanted to say hi.

Kirby

[Noah Hofrichter]

Kirby, [#welcome] to the coffee shop! Were open 24 hours a day, (even if the food ain't that great) but the coffe, mocha, tea, and rolls are(we send out for the rolls) so stop by any time you like!

***, no, please, pick up the snow and ship it ehr ein a reefer! We don't got no snow on the ground no where! We need snow really, really bad, although we don't need the rain and ice we are getting!

Well, I don't got much new, first day of school after vacation went well, and I guess I'll be going, so see ya!

Noah

[Anonymous]

Evening, everyone. My dad is doing, good. He is still in the hospital, though he wants to get out. Thanks, again, for all your prayers.

[#welcome] Kirby, I'm not living in your city, am I. You see, I live in Kirbyville. [:D]

Noah, the next time It snows here, I'll send you some through snail mail, postage due.[:D] I don't own any reefers, or refrigerated cars. Hope you like snow-water?[:D]

'til, later

Robert

[grayfox1119]

Welcome Kirby[#welcome] I am fairly new myself, at least to the coffee shop, great bunch of guys here, coffee is hot by 5am, Ferggie is an early riser!!

***

[grayfox1119]

Noah, we have more snow coming Thursday, ohh joy!!! The CSX refers are empty on the return via former B&A/NYC main in my home town, just 10 minutes from my home, so sending you a few cars full is NO PROBLEM, I'll trade for some nice Wisconsin cheese!!!! Monterey Jack will be nice!!!

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