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

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,
Coffees fresh and good this morning, I'll have a regular please. Donuts look good Bill. Still nuts here at work - too much to do, too little time. Did find some time for museum work - making repair parts for a Reading smoothside passenger car and then I'll help install a p.a. system for the four coaches. Sorry Scott - no Bose here - we're on a low budget. No model rr time lately, something had to give.
Fergie - nice work on the garden, the dog almost looks real [:)].

John - nice shot. The progress is really inspiring. I find it best if I can pick away a bit each day. That way I keep enthused andcan think about waht I just did and what comes next. That's why I dislike having to suspend work totally.

Scott - have fun prom night. Don't be such a stranger.

Adam - I know about the uncertainty tearing down what you built to start over, but you'll find it's really worth it .

Inch - nice shots of the out buildings. The little details are what make the model railroad realistic and we rarely see the little bits out in the clear. The transfer pump would work as a drainage pump, or to transfer water into a tank for distribution to the locomotives or passenger car heating systems (most seem to be single pipe steam or hot water and need freqent replenishment) or to transfer diesel to a storage tank from bulk tank cars.
I signed up for the new realistic layouts book and it is great. Full of ideas on details and accurate representations of trackside signage and signals. It shows me how far I have to go on details.
All for now - time to pick up tools. CUL [:D] J.R.

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana. [:D]

[james saunders]

Hey all, just making a quick drop in my lunch break...


Scott: I hope you have a blast!
I am still deciding what Rollingstock to buy next, i think a few more freight cars would be in order... i just read in the financial section of the paper, the Aussie $ is set to fall to about .50c USD in the next 6-9 months... which means model prices will go up! [B)][V] but then they reckon in 18 months it will be up near 80c which means cheaper models... i just hope the forecasters are wrong on the first count...

i think that's all for now,

OZJIM

[Train 284]

Hey Scott, have fun Friday!

[TrainFreak409]

You betcha John, I'm gonna have a blast at Prom.[:D] I'm literally bouncing off the walls right now, because I'm so excited![^] WHEE!

I'll talk to y'all later, I have to try to get to bed.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Good Evening All: I'm just going to make this a mark again. Not much going on so I'll hit the showers.

Good Night

[der5997]

Ed:

QUOTE: I had to chuckle when I saw that shot of your layout with the boxes as building mockups.

…Handily it’s 65’x40’ and 20’ high. Small for a business, but big enough for the Business Park setting, I’ve had to cut down the Diovan boxes by 10’ so they are just 45’ long now, and 35 deep. Two stacked make 20 high which fit nicely with the OXO sachet boxes. I’m waiting for a film to be processed (grandkids mainly) so that I can see some of the industrial buildings I shot to fill the roll. Maybe the boxes can be replaced with “real” models in the not too distant future.[insert “dream on” smilie]

TrolleyRob:

QUOTE: gives the proper feel when one's in the process of laying down and finishing the trackwork.

…exactamundo.[tup]
BTW, with all the hatches I have to get at turnouts in the tunnels, it occurred to me that I could do something that one doesn’t see too often in “Track-side photos”
You can see the way the boxes work for buildings along the interchange track.

Mike: Thanks for those latest photos. Not many windows in that interlocking tower. What’s with that?

Fergie: Awesome garden! Wish we had the sheltered spot to get things to grow without being stunted or blown out of the ground![bow]

Time again to feed Rosie-the-dog.
TTFN

( I tried to send this but although I was logged in, the page ended with out a message window.[banghead])

Five hours later, I’ve come in the front door of the CS, and the message window is working, so that’s OK.[tup]

Adam: We feel for you, but you will use what you’ve learned and make the next edition even better. I’m finding I have forgotten quite a bit of what I did on layouts years ago. So get back to building just as soon as you can. Please show us a pic or two of your old one to be going on with.

UKSteve: Great to hear from you again. There has been trans-atlantic silence for a while.

Phil: Our prayers for the success of the chemo. I’ve tried your profile just now, and the “hour glass” cursor sat there for ages, then the page changed to the profile. (I’m on slow dial up which may explain the wait, but the change is quicker than tonight usually)

Fergie: Thanks for the heads up on the Word.doc attachment virus. I’ve sent it (the warning, hopefully not the virus!) to just about everyone on my list.

Scott: I saw you were in the forum as I was finding my way here. Good to hear from you again. Enjoy the prom, sounds like you will have a great time.[:D]

JR: I’ve taken out the road to the interlocking tower, but have neither repaired that ground, nor put in the new road across the single track. So, no pictures yet. However, I’m hopeful, as Kris is away all day, that I will make some progress on that tomorrow. Mind you the windows have to be cleaned, and if it’s not raining that chore may be “on the list”.

Now I really should get this into cyberspace. Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers continuing for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.[angel]

[inch53]

Howdy all,
Not hanging round tonight as we've had some nastey weather this evening, so far no problems here close anyway. Catch up on every thing on the morrow. prayers for all in need
inch

[TrainFreak409]

Well well well, would you look what the cats dragged in???

ME!

Sorry guys, I have no idea if anyone said anything to me or about me in the past...Week or two...Because I've been extrememly busy with end of the year stuff. So, I'm just going to start fresh and try to keep up from now on. Once summer comes, it'll make it easier for me.

So, let's see...

PROM IS THIS SATURDAY! I have my tux, and my date's corsage all ordered, and ready to be picked up Friday. I'm going to get my car all cleaned, inside and out. We are going to dinner beforehand, and man, it's going to be an awesome night. But because of this, I had to work afterschool three times this week. But it's worth it to have the weekend for this kind of thing. [:D][:D] Man, I'm so excitied! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! <Yep, I'm energetic>

Adam: Good luck with your new layout. [tup][tup] I wish I could have seen the other one in person, but I'm sure I'll be able to get to see this new one live.

[Fergmiester]

This just in from Lisa's IT Dept at work

Hi Everyone,



This is to inform everyone that a new virus has emerged this week of which we all need to be aware and take appropriate action. This virus is especially dangerous because it comes in the form of a Microsoft Word Document, which is a document type most of us see on a daily basis. When the document is opened, it infects your computer, and can also infect files on our network allowing it to spread to all XXXXX users. It uses a previously undiscovered vulnerability in Word to infect victim computers and as of right now, there is no patch to close the vulnerability. What this means is that as new viruses are developed using this vulnerability, the only defense will be the antivirus companies updating their products.



This problem has two ways it can be mitigated, by patching the vulnerability or by catching the virus that exploits the vulnerability. Usually, we get regular patches from manufacturers that allow us to patch problems before there are any viruses that exploit said problems. In this case, the virus was released onto the internet before anyone knew about it. Therefore, we have only our antivirus software to stop this and any other new threats that are created before the patch is released.



This is why it is extremely important that everyone here and at home make sure that your virus definitions are up to date. XXXXX antivirus software on XXXXX computers is kept up to date by our update server, so as long as you are connecting regularly (every day or so) then you will be receiving the latest virus updates from the server.



Everyone should also be very suspicious of Word documents that you receive for the next few weeks that you were not expecting. If you do receive a Word document that you were not expecting, you should follow up with the sender before opening. If infected with the current virus utilizing this vulnerability, the attacker can take complete control of the infected system.



The following are some websites that go into more detail about this vulnerability, and also the steps to take to deal with this problem.



http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/advisory/919637.mspx - Here is the Microsoft Security Advisory. This will give a good overall explanation of the vulnerability





http://secunia.com/advisories/20153/ - This article gives another explanation of the vulnerability.





http://www.symantec.com/outbreak/word_exploit.html - This is an article explaining the vulnerability, the current virus taking advantage of this vulnerability, and also how to repair a computer that has already been infected.



We will inform everyone when a patch has been released and is applied to everyone’s computer.

[grayfox1119]

Good evening everyone, I took the day off today from wall building, or, is that called weight lifting for retired people? Lorraine and I headed to Tucker's Trains in Warren, Ma, and I dropped a few bucks there, he had some nice sales, as well as some new cars, but what I thought was really cool, was an EMD Model 40 from Roundhouse ( Athearn owned Div. ) . It is a siding switcher used for factory yards. Bob had it set up and running, and is perfect little switcher.

Then we headed down to Palmer, Ma to the "Diamond" where 7 RR'ds cross, it is the hot spot for all New England. We saw Freights, Auto rack cars, 100 cars long, Amtrak passenger from Boston, then another from the North from Vermont which had to pull off onto the siding to let the westbound Amtrak come through before pulling back onto the westbound line to head to Springfield. Lots of action in just 45 minutes. I video taped most of the action. And, the restaurant is now open in the stone RR Station right alongside the Diamond. It is called the Steaming Tender and man they have some great food to serve, so ate lunch there also. The Palmer Station was the 3rd largest RR Station in New England serving SEVEN (7) Railroads.

FERGIE Very impressive landscaping design and construction my man!!! Who is in charge of the weeding on the mountainside?? I thought I saw a PINK rock though up near the top, did LUC sneak that up there?

INCH53 Have no fear Mike, at 80 lbs per block, I am VERY careful, I have no desire to become the Soprano singer at church. We have Mike's 17 year old son bring the blocks to the wall so that I don't have carry them 60 feet. And my Primary doctor says, " why aren't you walking a mile every day"? To which I say," does carrying 80 lb cement blocks classify as enough exercise, afterall , it "is" weight lifting"? He shakes his head in disbelief.

Time to go see what is on the History Channel, or National Geographic Channel, see you later guys,

[Anonymous]

Hello to all. I have been out for a while taking chemo. So far praise the Lord it seems to be having a good affect. I had to get a new computer to go to DSL high speed. I changed providers and then I had to get Mary in customer service to reset my profile. I was formerly know as manofwar and MOW. I later realized that the correct spelling is man o war. I can post now but I cannot view profiles nor does my name show up when I am on line. Any one else have this problem. Take fourth round of chemo Friday. I take a railroad book to read as it takes about six or seven hours for the treatment. The guy setting next to me last month was also a model railroader so I tried to get him to join the local club. He sure helped the time pass. Happy high balling to everyone. Phil

[rtraincollector]

Adam at least you have a layout you can take apart to build a better one [:D] Some of us haven't gotten that far yet [:(] now thats something to be Depressed about but we keep our heads up knowing one day our master piece will be real even if its only a master piece to us [:-^][swg]

[cheese3]

hi all, im kind of deppressed right now, i have taken the last pictues i will ever take on my current layout, i am going to begin demolition tonight and reconstruction will follow shortly. It is really hard to do, so i need support from everyone here so i dont turn back. I will just have to keep thinking it will be an improvement, i'll have better operation, and this is a chance to 1 up myself on the scenery i've done. I'll post the final pictures in a few hours or days or weeks perhaps, im not sure yet.

[Anonymous]

Hi gang,

Sorry I haven't posted here lately but I'm practically living in my garage, I don't have an internet connection out there LOL. I have to hurry and stage/shoot all the photos (~80-100) for my Philly presentation. Not as fun as it sounds, I often have to re-do the same shot a dozen times to get it "right". Finally made a visit to my local Ritz Camera store to learn the correct way to get a decent depth-of-field with my camera, that should cut out alot of wasted time.

Steve, see what happens when you don't visit here often enough - you end up buying for everybody!

Hafta run now, take care.

[steveblackledge]

Hello everyone, not been in for age's,
hope everyone's well
anyone fancy a cuppa
Fergie that's a great garden you have there, Lisa must be proud of you.
Ed take it easy in the groves Ed, you don't want to over do it out there.

[fec153]

OHOY there, Fergie. Beautiful dog and the garden ain't half bad either.
Sir, you do very nice work and it sure does show .

trolleyboy-Me buy brass? How? With what? Trouble enough getting film and mailing it off. I did drool a little.Did any get on the pictures? Did you notice the OPEN trolleys?
I guess they would use them for excursion trips.

Inch-Hey Mike, thanks for the posts. Did the snail get to you yet?

Flip

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Ed: That was not the one we rode behind. It is the one that is the sister to mine that had the wood cab and was in the engine house on the stand. It's lettered Sanches Creek.

Her I am again. Fortunately the next two days are days off and I need them. This place just keeps getting worse.

Fergie: If I send you the plane ticket could you hop down and do that to my yard? You did a rgreat job. Maybe that is what you should really be doing and just play boats for a diversion. I'm lucky in that Mary Ann does not use the computer. If she saw those pictures I'd be in deep do-do.

I'll see you all later.

[egmurphy]

Jeez, Fergie, great job with the rock garden. The house and all your landscaping looks wonderful. You did good!

QUOTE: Paul B: Not much since this afternoon. I found out that Terry McCauly's locomotive needs a new boiler. I'm going to talk to him tomorrow and see if he wants to build two, I'll buy the stuff. That's how we did the locomotives.

Is that the locomotive we rode behind when I was up there?

Regards

Ed

[pcarrell]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

Gentlemen!

The fruits of my labour:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=151558296&security=meKavF

Enjoy!

Fergie

And what fine fruit it is! Wish mine looked that good!

[Fergmiester]

Gentlemen!

The fruits of my labour:

http://community.webshots.com/myphotos?action=viewAllPhotos&albumID=151558296&security=meKavF

Enjoy!

Fergie

[pcarrell]

Man, the insanity in the big room is reaching a fever pitch! I've got to come in here for a while and get out of the hailstorm of bullets being shot around out there! Whew!

Chloe,....coffee and donuts please,....AND A ROUND FOR MY FRIENDS TOO!

Thanks, and here's a big tip!

You know, it's nice to come in here and people are civil to each other.

If you don't mind, I'm gonna just sit back and hang out a while.

Ahhhhhhhhh...............

[Fergmiester]

THanks Bill!

Well I've done what had to be done and then some and now they're calling for...

FROST[:O] tonight

And I'm now fighting the head cold that several other family members have been stricken with... Just in time to go back to work.

Der: Excellent work on the layout. Looks really good! I just wish I could have done some work on mine this past couple of weeks.

Inch: Thanks for sharing the pics with us as these are always good for research purposes.

JUst realized I have pics to download of the garden!

Later Gents

Fergie

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana. [:D]

[trolleyboy]

Hey Mike some nice shots of that interlocking tower. Still nice to see on that is still in such good condition and still including most of it's internal workings.[tup]

Der The latest scenery shots are lookiong quite good as well. I like the archetecture of the various industries alone the line.[tup][:D][swg] Actuaally it's a very good idea to use the mock ups,gives the proper feel when one's in the priocess of laying down and finishing the trackwork.

Well folks it's been along day catch you all later.

nite Rob [zzz]

[Anonymous]

Hi Gang,

Paul:

QUOTE: Bill N. : I'm so happy to hear that you have had such good service from Verision. I wi***hat I worked for them. I'd like to have the weekends off. I don't think that they had any intension of having you use up your anytime minutes. Is you cell on Verision? Mine is which would make it free to call.

No my cell phone is a TracPhone. A pretty good deal actually. It cost $20.00, and I buy minutes, as and if I need them. They figure that it's 10 cents a minute, but I found that Wally World has sales on their cards that comes out to about 3 cents a minute.

Jerry

QUOTE: Bill gota say there is days I wish my phone didn't work.....but they come in handy when you need them.

Ya, I have those days too. The only reason I have a cell,is because of Kitty's MS. I like to stay in touch.

See Ya Later,
Bill North

[inch53]

Evenin all, barleypop Cleo please,
Got the camper moved to campground C and ready to set up, wasn't a train went by while we there. It's going to be a great rain fanning spot till the corn gets tall.

Here's some pics of the Spring hill interlocking tower that was down in the Milwaukee yards on the S side of Terre Haute,



Switch controls by ARMSTRONG



a disiel power transer pump shed[forgot what it transfered] also from there on the RT, Lt is one of the electrical sheds from Haley tower,



This one is off the PRR,



Tal fur tonight, still have a few more to post laters on time for a shower n bed got kids tomorrow. Thoughts n prayers fur all
inch

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers,

Back out to the orange grove today. Man was it hot. We worked out there for about 2 hours and I was just a limp rag when we finished. Back home, a cold shower, liquids and sitting in front of the a/c. I’m almost back to “normal”, whatever that is. [:D]

Still have oranges, but as I said earlier, we’re getting pretty short. Most of the trees have already set fruit for this coming season. Some of the oranges are already as big as eggs. Looks like we should have a good harvest coming up in the late fall.


derJohn – I had to chuckle when I saw that shot of your layout with the boxes as building mockups. One of the boxes appears to be a box of Oxo cubes. Down here we have a mini-market chain (like 7-11) called “OXXO”. Your progress reminds me that I really need to get busy again….. Nice thinking about the temporary work platform.

QUOTE: … …the gauge is correct? Will you have to “blind” a driver?

Preliminary investigation on the Pacific leads me to believe the problem is binding of the drawbar at the locomotive cab end. This doesn’t allow the cab to swing wide on sharp curves and is pulling the pilot wheels off and helping the lead driver climb up the outside rail. It appears to be designed to be able to swing wider, but appears to be catching on something. QC issue with Model Power's Korean fabricator, Ajin. Unfortunately, typical for them. I’m working on a fix, although it’s tough in this small scale.

QUOTE: JR: You guys are scaring me with this no time in retirement stuff.

There’s always time to take a nap, don’t worry. [;)]


Just a short one this evening, although since I’m “watching” the Red Sox vs the Yankees on the computer, I’ll be keeping track of the shop for a while yet.

Hasta luego,

Ed

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: I'm going to make tis a short one. Mary Ann and I are about to head down to the hay lot and put up a hot wire so we can turn the cattle in. There is plenty of grass there for them to eat so it may keep them happy for a few days.

I'm going to cut out now and get with the program.

[inch53]

Joke for the day,,,,


A first grade teacher in Northern Illinois explains to her class that she is
a Cubs fan. She asks her students to raise their hands if they, too, are
Cubs fans.
Everyone in the class raises their hand expect one little girl. The
teacher looks at the girl with surprise and says, "Janie, why didn't you
raise your hand?"
"Because I'm not a Cubs fan," she replied.
The teacher, still shocked, asked, "Well, if you are not a Cubs fan,
then who are you a fan of?"
"I am a Cardinal fan, and proud of it," Janie replied.
The teacher could not believe her ears. "Janie, why pray tell are you a
Cardinal fan?"
"Because my Mom is a Cardinal fan, and my dad is Cardinal fan, so I'm a
Cardinal fan too!"
"Well," said the teacher in an obviously annoyed tone, "that is no
reason for you to be a Cardinal fan. You don't have to be just like your
parents all of the time. What if your Mom were a moron and your dad
were a moron, what would you be then?"
"Then," Janie smiled, "I'd be a Cubs fan."

I tink I've been insulted