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

[Noah Hofrichter]

Dbcxyz123, welcome into the Coffee Shop, and congrats on that 50th post and first star! Feel free to stop in anytime, as the coffee's always on and were usually talking about something, who knows what it may be though.

Jim (trains) have you ever gotten to take your tests yet? I've been waiting to see how ya did.

Noah

[Hawks05]

well tonights roadrailer was a NS C40-9W. i got 2 really good pictures of it to.

i'm so pumped for tomorrow. stopping in Red Wing MN to watch some trains on the way down. then on the way back we're stopping in Maiden Rock probably to watch some trains. also we are probably going to try and go to the yard down in Winona.

i'm so pumped, but i gotta get up at either 8 or 8:30 to leave by 9.

[Anonymous]

Hi All [:)]

I have not taken my test. Every time I get somewhat ready then something happpens and I have to put it off. Being stricken with "halftimers" doesn't help either. [;)] Wednesday morning I wrote out 2 checks to pay utility bills and was going to drop them off on the way to work. Well guess who forgot to take them? So you see how things go with me. [:0] [B)] [}:)]

I am trying to spend time in study but the one eyed monster keep dragging me over to itself. It just won't leave me along. [;)] [:D]

So if you don't see me for a few days you know I am really trying to avoid "IT" and get in some quality study.


Now for the other question.

I live in North Little Rock, Arkansas. I do exchange emails, regular mail and have a list of forum members and their telephone numbers. I will exchange addresses with those who want to do so. I have talked on the phone to about 6 to 10 forum members. But I won't post addresses or phone numbers in the forums, that can be done by email. I did email out a pic of me for the dartboards of forum members. I am forgetful so if you didn't get yours just email me and I will have my secretary (yeah right) email you one. [;)]

The UP yard in North Little Rock is one of the largest in the UP system. I want to say it is the second largest but don't quote me on that one. The movie, "End of the Line" was filmed in and around central Arkansas and the yard shown in the movie that they said was St. Louis was actually the North Little Rock yard. Something else interesting and railroad related is the fact that the old Rock Island passenger depot in Little Rock is now being used as part of the President Clinton Library. The Rock Island railroad bridge is next to the depot and will be used somehow in connection with the library. There are no tracks to the bridge anymore, they pulled them up somewhere around 10 to 15 years ago if not longer. [:(]

Every day on the way to and from work I pass under 2 Rock Island (now UP of course) railroad overpasses. Plus there is a grade crossing between the two overpasses that sometimes I see a UP switcher using. Most of the time I can't get to it soon enough to get the loco number. [:(] [V]

Well got to run, it is 2 am and I want to study for a few minutes then head to bed, and of course Duchess want to walk before we turn in. [;)]

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Hi All [:)]

I have not taken my test. Every time I get somewhat ready then something happpens and I have to put it off. Being stricken with "halftimers" doesn't help either. [;)] Wednesday morning I wrote out 2 checks to pay utility bills and was going to drop them off on the way to work. Well guess who forgot to take them? So you see how things go with me. [:0] [B)] [}:)]

I am trying to spend time in study but the one eyed monster keep dragging me over to itself. It just won't leave me along. [;)] [:D]

So if you don't see me for a few days you know I am really trying to avoid "IT" and get in some quality study.

Well got to run, it is 2 am and I want to study for a few minutes then head to bed, and of course Duchess want to walk before we turn in. [;)]

Well Jim

Having to take several tests in the past several years this is what I've done to help me focus:

Establish an end date, the date you WILL do the test (3 weeks from start date is a good period)
Write "Jot" notes or items that you can't remember down in a little black book. The last exam I did resulted me in having a 100-page+ ledger full (I believe I scored in the 90's)
Establish Study blocks during the day. You can't study continually you'll go insane. This will allow you to focus easier.
Flash cards also works, just ask Mr. Jennings on Jeopardy.
Keep away from the Trains
Keep away from Forums or treat this as a reward. I.e. if you do so many hours studying then you can post.
And lastly the night before the big day relax as my wife has told me "If you don't know it now you'll never know it.

Hopefully you won't take offence to this, as this is what I've had to do in the past to get what had to be done. Not an easy task especially if you're a procrastinator like my self

Regards
Fergie

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Hi All [:)]

I have not taken my test. Every time I get somewhat ready then something happpens and I have to put it off. Being stricken with "halftimers" doesn't help either. [;)] Wednesday morning I wrote out 2 checks to pay utility bills and was going to drop them off on the way to work. Well guess who forgot to take them? So you see how things go with me. [:0] [B)] [}:)]

Now for the other question.

I live in North Little Rock, Arkansas. I do exchange emails, regular mail and have a list of forum members and their telephone numbers. I will exchange addresses with those who want to do so. I have talked on the phone to about 6 to 10 forum members. But I won't post addresses or phone numbers in the forums, that can be done by email. I did email out a pic of me for the dartboards of forum members. I am forgetful so if you didn't get yours just email me and I will have my secretary (yeah right) email you one. [;)]

I received your e-mail the other day and would like you address. In my line of work (charter bus company) I get to Little Rock quite often. We usually stay at the Little Rock Hilton on I-630 and University. If we are going to Branson, Little Rock is a good place to spend the night. Do you have a layout? What scale do you model? What test are you getting ready to take?

Fergie:

I just got an answer from der5997 and he is right on the way from Dartmouth to Sherbrooke village.



I don't understand how a household can function with out a model railroader in it. When I got up this morning I noticed that my wifes glasses had lost the screw that holds the ear piece, no problem just take them to the train room, look in the screw box and put a new screw in. It seems like I'm always going to the train room for something to fix a problem around the house. Before I started the current layout I decided that I'd better buy a GOOD power screw driver. I don't know how I ever survived with out it, no more soap on the wood screws and no more sore wrist. PROGRESS IS WONDERFUL.

AHHHHHH! The third cup of tea is better then the first two.

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY

Bob

[Big_Boy_4005]

Ah yes Bob, I know that feeling. Around our house it became known as "Daddy fix", a term coined by my childern many years ago. For the most part that was what happened to most broken things. On a couple of occasions I was presented with damage beyond my ability to repair, that's when my true mortal status was discovered. Of course my daughter cried when I said "Nope, trash". Needless to say, I am no longer the wizard.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Well howdy. [C):-)]
Had my cup of coffee. I just got a new brand with a hint of chicory and I love the stuff. I have some brewing if anyone would like to try it. I would be happy to fill up a cup for you. I have put some pictures online so go check them out. Hopefully tonight I will have pictures of the new layout up and monday when I get back I'll have a ton of photos from the curve. Here's the link http://community.webshots.com/user/george745 My birthday is also coming up and I'm trying to decide what I would like to ask for. Thinking about justs asking for a Gift certificate for my LHS but we'll see or maybe a scanner either one would be nice.
Big Boy 4005- It's the same way at my house also. But we already had most of the tools before. The problem was that they weren't all put in the same place. Since I stated MRR all the tools have migrated to my workbench so now can easily be found.

JHHplanestrains- We all hope you do good on the test. So go take it already! So we can stop worrying, AHH I'm sounding like my mom.[D)]


Andrew

[tomwatkins]

Good Evenin' Everybody,
It's been a busy couple of days. Nothing really earth shaking, just lots going on and lots to do. I have managed to get started weathering the F3's so a little progress is being made.

Teffy, if you're coming down from DC then I-85 towards Atlanta would be the most direct way. We're actually about a hundred miles east of Chattanooga. I'll email you off line with directions.

Jim (JHH), good luck on the tests.Everybody is pulling for you on them. Life does have a way of getting in the way of well made plans. Fergie's plan for getting ready is a good one. I've used a similar plan many times to get ready for something I wanted to do well on and needed to prepare for.

Well folks, it's late and I'm going to call it a night.
Hope everybody has a good evening and a great day tomorrow,
Tom

[Hawks05]

what a disappointing day train wise today. i thought for sure i'd take a ton of pictures. i came home with only 20. most of them being SOO Line locos and a caboose. also most were taken while the trains were sitting in the yards or sidings. it was pretty crappy. i only saw 2 moving trains that i could get a picture of. i missed a BNSF Warbonnet which really ticked me off. but along the roads there are very few places to turn off and take a picture so that kind of sucked.

i'm going to try and get the pics onto the computer tonight. i still have to sort all my pictures out into seperate folders on the computer. i also need to put all the pictures of locomotives back onto my site. somehow they all got deleted the other night after i got done updating the site. that really ticked me off.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sorry to hear about the train portion of your trip. I wasn't sure if you were going to see much where you went. What did you think of the school and the rest of the city?

[Anonymous]

Hey from where I'm from a caboose sighting is a big deal. Look at it this way. If everytime you went out you saw something interesting then those interesting tidbits would seem less noteworthy. Then all the fun is out of train watching.

As many of you know I was soppusesd to travel to Altoona this week end. But some bad news has come along. First off only two boys signed up for the trip so we had to cancel the trip for the scouts. Then my dad got called to work in Indiana this friday. Good news is i'm still going. My father and I will be leaving saturday morning and spending the day there on saturday,spend half a day sunday and drive home sunday afternoon. I'm excited since it will be a nice week end of bonding with my father and I.
Andrew

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by george745

Hey from where I'm from a caboose sighting is a big deal. Look at it this way. If everytime you went out you saw something interesting then those interesting tidbits would seem less noteworthy. Then all the fun is out of train watching.

As many of you know I was soppusesd to travel to Altoona this week end. But some bad news has come along. First off only two boys signed up for the trip so we had to cancel the trip for the scouts. Then my dad got called to work in Indiana this friday. Good news is i'm still going. My father and I will be leaving saturday morning and spending the day there on saturday,spend half a day sunday and drive home sunday afternoon. I'm excited since it will be a nice week end of bonding with my father and I.
Andrew

Sorry to here about your Scout trip being cancelled but this seems to be all to common these days and I consider myself lucky if we can get 50% participation to a camp.

Teffy: got your decals, thank you very much and as I e-mailed you I have a 40 ton hopper ear marked for your logo!

JHH: your awfully quiet or are you studying? regardless good luck inyour endeavours! I have several courses coming up this fall that I'm looking forward to but as always I have to find the "Study Mode Switch" first.

It's a rain day here so I'm off to the basement

Regards

[Hawks05]

Elliot- the college was pretty cool. i'm pretty sure that is where i'm going to apply and hopefully go. thats the only school i'm applying to probably right now. so i better get in. the town seemed really nice as well. we drove around trying to find trains for awhile down there and there only seemed to be a like a 3 block area for the houses were kind of run down.

we saw 2 BNSF trains in a matter of 3 minutes both heading south. on the MN side we saw i think 4 trains on the way down but nothing when we stopped back in Red Wing on our way home.

i think we're planning on just going down a day and stopping somewhere to sit for a awhile and look for trains. i'm looking forward to this.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Jim, are you going to be out by the tracks tonight? Big Girl and I were going to have dinner in Hudson and then drive to Baldwin, and take some pictures. We'll be over by the grain elevator between 7 and 8, and probably the DQ after that. This afternoon we are going to Hastings and Prescott. I don't expect too many trains, the trip is more for research and scenery and structure photos.

[Anonymous]

High Big_girl:

After almost 40 years of marrage, I live with the trains. When Bob goes to a hobby shop I always have a good book. I do watch to see how big the bag is that he comes out with. One time in Albquerque, NM the back of the bus was pointed toward the hobby shop, when he came out I heard the baggage door open and then he got on the bus, much later I found out that the bag contained a brass locomotive. That cost him a nice pair of ear rings. One time a locomotive cost him a purebred Belgian Sheepdog.
At a shop in California, there was an antique furniture store next to the hobby shop but what I wanted wouldn't fit in the back of the van.

I don't model and only get upset if I'm ignored for a long time. The train show is the only place that I've watched him look at an old car instead of the woman in shorts that walked in front of him. At least when he's "playing trains" he's not somewhere drinking or running around. We are at the age where I really have to prod him to get him to go to the group that meets once a week. I WANT MY FREE TIME TOO.

Mrs. Teffy

[Hawks05]

i don't think so tonight. one of my friends said that we're going to a movie. a bunch of us are going so i figure i should get out and have some fun with some friends for awhile.

your best bet to see the train is around 8 or so. be careful where you go though. the street kids will most likely be out. the best places to go are up by the baseball field then if you don't mind driving a ways out on Highway 12 heading east there is a bridge that can be good for pictures.

i haven't heard a train all day today, still kind of early though yet.

[TrainFreak409]

I am happy!

I have recently acquired two new locomotives from the Greenberg train show!

I bought; a SCL C-Liner, and a Bachmann UP DD40X!

[8]TrainFreak409[8]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomwatkins
Chris, It sounds like you have lots to do to keep you busy. Have you planned your layout yet? Is the Mike a BLI unit or another brand?

Have a great day everybody,
Tom

Tom,

My heavy Mike is a BLI model, I also have a Genesis lite 2-8-2 that is going to be a Wabash model once I get around to detailing them. And for what I have to keep me busy, I have 13 unassembled or half-assembled car kits, three resin car kits, four structure kits, 3 locomotives to detail, 2 engines I need to convert to DCC, plus benchwork for a layout, as well as wiring and tracklaying. And that's just what I hope to have done by the end of the year...[;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by TEFFY

High Big_girl:

After almost 40 years of marrage, I live with the trains. When Bob goes to a hobby shop I always have a good book. I do watch to see how big the bag is that he comes out with. One time in Albquerque, NM the back of the bus was pointed toward the hobby shop, when he came out I heard the baggage door open and then he got on the bus, much later I found out that the bag contained a brass locomotive. That cost him a nice pair of ear rings. One time a locomotive cost him a purebred Belgian Sheepdog.
At a shop in California, there was an antique furniture store next to the hobby shop but what I wanted wouldn't fit in the back of the van.

I don't model and only get upset if I'm ignored for a long time. The train show is the only place that I've watched him look at an old car instead of the woman in shorts that walked in front of him. At least when he's "playing trains" he's not somewhere drinking or running around. We are at the age where I really have to prod him to get him to go to the group that meets once a week. I WANT MY FREE TIME TOO.

Mrs. Teffy

Hi Mrs. Teffy.
So far Elliot has gotten off small--a dinner here and a dinner there but these are in direct correlation to how far he makes me walk to get to the "best shot" [;)]
Since we're not married he gets out of the "equal property clause"-for now[:p][:p]

As time goes by I find myself becoming more and more interested in all parts of the trains- but I employ the same strategy of keeping busy while he is in the hobby store or we are waiting for a train to come by to get some shots. He knows as long as I am not bored he can stay as long as he wants. Now that I dug up my old 35mm camera
(an AE-1 Program that I got for $10 at a garage sale) I don't stand around the tracks while he is looking for shots-I can take my own.

With the house the way it is I can either be involved in the train activities or off in my own "inner sanctum" with the door locked to all. I totally understand what you mean about being upset if you are ignored. Luckily so far we haven't really come up against that but the potential does exist.

I too have seen more drooling because of "toys" than "tarts" [:D][:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Hawks05

i don't think so tonight. one of my friends said that we're going to a movie. a bunch of us are going so i figure i should get out and have some fun with some friends for awhile.

your best bet to see the train is around 8 or so. be careful where you go though. the street kids will most likely be out. the best places to go are up by the baseball field then if you don't mind driving a ways out on Highway 12 heading east there is a bridge that can be good for pictures.

i haven't heard a train all day today, still kind of early though yet.

We were already out of the house by the time you posted that. I figured there was a good chance we wouldn't meet up, but we were there anyway. It has been a very long time since I have driven through there. Wow has that town changed. In all of my trips through, I never really took the time to stop and look around. What a neat little town. I never realized that there were 4 different feed mills. We parked by the grade crossing that's a couple blocks east of the main drag.

While we waited for the train, we a walked along the track behind the mills. None of them have rail service anymore. I took a ton of photos, mostly informational, a few artistic.

I see that they're going to replace the grade crossing on the main drag too. They have that front end loader parked there, but they also have a really cool little crane parked down by the ball field. They have a couple of sections welded together waiting to go in. Those old rails are ugly!!! They are in horrible shape, but then they've been there for over 50 years. If you look closely, they were manufactured in 1951. Also if you look at the rails, you'll see some light blue dots. Those indicate which ties are to be replaced. Who knows if they are going to get to that project before the snow flies.

Tonight's train was very long. The question is how many of the trailers were full? I heard that the main business was westbound, and they were looking for customers to ship return loads back east. The last train for the week may always be the big one.



So, what movie did you see?

[Hawks05]

we saw Bourne Supermacy. that is a great movie if you haven't seen it yet. its the modern day James Bond type movies.

no biggie that i missed that train. i've already seen it come through, came through on the 30th of July.

after the movie tonight we went back to my friends and we were all standing around talking and i heard the whistle of a train. well i heard it twice actually. probably in Hammond or something the 2nd time. the first thing i thought of was jump in the car and go, then i realized it was 10:15, it was dark, and i didn't have my camera. no trains came through town today either. that was a real bummer.

[Hawks05]

we saw Bourne Supermacy. that is a great movie if you haven't seen it yet. its the modern day James Bond type movies.

no biggie that i missed that train. i've already seen it come through, came through on the 30th of July.

after the movie tonight we went back to my friends and we were all standing around talking and i heard the whistle of a train. well i heard it twice actually. probably in Hammond or something the 2nd time. the first thing i thought of was jump in the car and go, then i realized it was 10:15, it was dark, and i didn't have my camera. no trains came through town today either. that was a real bummer.

[Big_Boy_4005]

We saw that movie and loved it, can't wait for it to come on cable so I can watch it 10,000 times. I've seen the Bourne Identity 10,000 times.

I hate to say it, but the days are getting shorter. Pretty soon you won't be able to take pictures of the Triple Crown on this schedule. Oh well, that's why we model during the winter.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Hi All [:)]

I have been studying and am going to set a date (again) to take the test. When I pass the first test then I get to study for a second test. After I pass the second test then I study more material and then go to an examiner who will ask me questions that I must answer. After that then we do "practicals" to test mechanical knowlege, tool, etc. Sounds like a lot of fun, yeah right. When I do all of that and pass then I get my "Powerplant" license. Then I get to study for my Airframe License and do it all over again. But after all is said and done then I can apppply for an Inspector position at work. The inspectors work really hard, NOT. During the week many times they actually have nothing to do and on weekends they normally read a book. Why am I after this position? A combination of reasons, some health related and some financial related ( the position's starting pay is 2 bucks an hour more than I make now), and of course the last reason is, "I am getting Lazy." <Ouuuu, the truth hurts.> There are other reasons too, our department has the same exact "problems" that it did 5 and 10 years ago and they happen on every airplane. Yet we continue to operate "business as usual" and the same problems continue to plaque us. Yet we can't get our management to do anything but lip service about them. It is very frustrating and extremely bad for moral. We continue to lose good people to other companies but management just doesn't seem to have a clue. Well I better put the soap box up and try to study some more, or get some rest one. It is almost 2:45 so I need to get off the "one eyed monster".

Bye All [:)]

Take Care and Stay Safe [;)]

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning all

JHH:
Remember an inspector can't inspect if he's doing the dirty work (Same concept as trees and forest). They may not seem to be busy, but! If something goes wrong they'll wear it. They're paid for what they know. It's a good job with big bucks whether you want it is another story. I just wrote and sat through a competition for Marine Surveyor/Inspector which is the American equivalent of USCG Office of Marine Safety. I'm not ready to go that route but I'm going through the process to prepare for next time. Then again if they offer me a position I have to make some hard choices.

What your going through sounds alot like the process I've spent 20 years doing but with me I had to do it in 3-5 year intervals as I had to amass so much sea time before going for the next level. It is well worth it in the end.

Hawke and Big Boy:
I agree Bourne Identity is an excellent movie and I'm looking forward to seeing Bourne Supremacy. Who dies?.... Noo dont' tell me!

It's raining hard today so I'm packing for the cottage and if time permits I'll be inn the basement doing you know what!

Regards
Fergie

[Trainnut484]

Good morning all,

My wife and I finally rented "The Station Agent" last night, and liked it. Especially when the eccentric artist runs him off the road twice [(-D]. We also rented "The Whole Ten Yards". Bruce Willis is funnier in this one than the first movie.

I read in yesterday's KC Star that WWE "rassler" Brock Lesnar is trying out for the Minnesota Vikings as a defensive lineman. Get this, he walks away from a 45 million dollar contract with the WWE to RE-LEARN how to play football. He last played football in....high school. Even though Brock is 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, he was getting manhandled around the line of scrimmage due to keeping his body too high and giving away too much leverage. On the better side, Brock's coaches and team players say he's improving every day, because of his strong work ethic....and physical strength.

THEN, on top of the training, Brock has to sing for the veterans...or wind up being taped to a goal post. The Vikings have a routine that rookies have to sing for the veterans. Hmmmm I wonder how that will turn out.

Take care,

Russell

[Hawks05]

i haven't seen the Bourne Identity yet. i might have to rent/buy that sometime.

Elliot- hopefully the Triple Crown gets on a new schedule, like 4 in the afternoon or something. that way i can be out of school and catch it. i don't know how much i'll be able to take pictures this winter. with slippery roads i won't be able to just hop in the car and drive like i do now. thats going to suck. the worst part is usually 2 trains go through during school. one between 8-9AM and then another one usually after 12:30. oh well. just have to wait until the weekends i guess then.

[Anonymous]

Hi guys. I'm going out to Grand Haven, MI today. They have a Pere Marquette 2-8-4 Berkshire on display. I'll post some pics of it if I take any.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

Hi guys. I'm going out to Grand Haven, MI today. They have a Pere Marquette 2-8-4 Berkshire on display. I'll post some pics of it if I take any.

Jonathin: I look forward to those pics as I think the Bershire was one of the best looking locomotives built.

[Hawks05]

Brock Lesner will be on the practice squad for the Vikings this year. today he was in a couple fights with some of the Chiefs players, and yesterday he injured Damon Huard. he's a pretty decent player i guess from reports around here. they don't think he'll make the team but he won't be cut because of the drive he's been showing. i might have to go down to RF this week and check out some of the practices.