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

[twhite]

Just dropping in for afternoon coffee while I contemplate a canyon on my extension. A DEEP canyon (like I need another one, right?).
Der: That viaduct is IMPRESSIVE! I think when the scenery is all in, it's going to be really spectacular!
Ed: Yah, I think I'm going to get Wiley, went over today and he followed me around like he KNOWS I'm a sucker! He's really cute, and yes, he barks! She says he was raised with dogs when he was a kitten, I think he was raised BY dogs! I'll pick him up for intros tomorrow morning. Let you guys know how it comes out.
Steve: Are those two locos on the head in your photo the 'Oakways' everyone's talking about? If they are, then I don't feel quite so dumb, now, LOL!
Back to the canyon, check in later. Dang, Der, can't get over that VIADUCT!!
Tom [:P][:P]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by steveblackledge

Thanks for the info Der5997, that explains the red X [:(] will have to try another plan

Hello to everyone in the coffee club

we have had a bit of a cold snap here but nothing to bad at all, temps went to -46 on the German Austrian borders,,BRRRRRRRR glad i am in the UK [:)]

done a bit on the boys railroad under mine, they want a helix style loop to a branch line, which was done without any trouble so they are happy now

Later

WOW
the coldest it gets here is 52F (don't know Celsius)

[bjdukert]

Hi all,I will make a short one,don’t want to be late for Lost and West Wing. [:D]

Philnrunt

QUOTE: but the word "bum" keeps coming up.

Yup,I wouldn’t mind either. [:D][:-^][yeah]

Tim-

QUOTE: I am doing mortgages at 1.25%

Can you do anything in Mich. as well????

Ed

QUOTE: Is it just me or does it seem to others that most of the new visitors that drop in here never come back?

As someone else has already said,could be it isn’t what they are looking for.

[#welcome]Siberianmo---I think you did what a few of us have done,and I had the chair in the other corner.

Luc- It seems that a few here in the shop said to take care of yourself as well,good to see you up and around again. [:)]

JimCG

QUOTE: Phil, speaking only for myself, my usual problem is I'm reading through and see someone's posted a question, and I'll want to write something right then (but then as I go further down the posts, I'll find that someone else has answered about the same as the answer I wrote).

It takes me longer,but I have been reading and then going back to answer or put in my [2c],just a thought[[:)]

Steve-See you got the pic in you postings,looks good.

John-With the loco and caboose going over the bridge,did the engineer notice that it comes to an abrupt end[?][:-^][:-^] Really though, it is looking very good[tup][:)][^]

I see Phil is in as well. Hi there

Ok,I have a question for any and all here in the shop. My friend Ray has been looking for some time now for a Trainminature car in the commemorative series of states.The one he is looking for is Pennsylvania,and I asked my wife how to spell the big word,and she laughed and asked what I was trying to do.

That’s it for now,time for Lost

Talk to you later

Duke

[egmurphy]

Good Evening Coffee Clubbers

Weather couldn’t make up its mind down here today. Mostly cloudy with comfortable temperatures. Then suddenly the sun would come out and heat everything up. [8D] Partly cloudy and setting sun now. Need a breeze to come up and cool things off a bit more.

I passed some time working on installing caboose industries ground throw switch stands today. Several weren’t that much problem (once I figured out the method necessary to mount them on foam). The ones where the yard and spurs are laid without roadbed will be a bit trickier, as there’s nothing firm to fix the switch stand to. Just trying to glue that little base to foam won’t cut it for repeated cycling and the constant spring load. So I’m trying to sink a small square of plastic foam core into the blue foam base. That’s bigger than the switch stand base and I can more easily glue that to the foam with Liquid Nails. Then I’ll put a small piece of styrene on top to get the switch stand to the level I need. That styrene and the switch stand itself will be glued to the foam core using Walther’s Goo. Ought to work. Time will tell. Got some other problem installations too, but I’ll talk about them some other time.


[#welcome] Welcome Rev Andy.

QUOTE: … conversation here appears to be a three hundred sixty degree pattern, meaning anything and everything appears to be fair game…

We do try to steer clear of politics and religious discussions (although we’ve been know to do a fair bit of prayer business for ailing Coffee Shop regulars or spouses). And of course, no flames. But if you’ve been observing from the side you already know that. [:D]

QUOTE: der: Now figure this, we are right by the ocean, and the wind was off the sea. So where did the dust come from?

Just a guess, but I’d assume it was blown aloft by strong winds over the continent, then either got mixed with the snow or just got dropped as that layer dropped down into a slower moving air mass. What does Luc, our resident meteorologist, have to say? [%-)]

QUOTE: (western)Tom: I'll have 11 bridges. Don't most guys have tunnels?

Probably a toss up. Good topic for a poll though!! [;)] I have one bridge, no tunnels.

Another Maine Coon cat?? Don’t see how you can possibly pass up the opportunity! Let us know how the introductions go tomorrow.

QUOTE: (northern)Phil: I also have tried to get time off work like you, but the word "bum" keeps coming up. To some, an insult, to me, a dream. Oh wellllll.Hang in there, maybe one of us will hit it one day, and the rest can live vicariously through him.

Feel free to live vicariously through me! Didn’t hit the lottery but managed to pack it in at 56. Not super early but better than I expected to do.

QUOTE: Today, went to a doctor I saw some time back (he is taking a much more agressive stance on the diabetes than my new doctor)…

Probably a good idea. Not something you want to either take lightly or take chances on. Too many nasty complications.

QUOTE: I've also noticed that most people don't read all of the posts. …. I know that I scan posts looking for stuff I want to respond to, but sometimes I miss some important comments. I guess some of us, me included, need to slow down and read the entire post. ….. Pretty much all of us have interesting stuff to relate…

It’s understandable though. A lot of you guys have more important stuff to do with the small amount of free time you have. It’s easier for me as I’m retired and (other than supplying OJ and fresh fruit to the Coffee Shop) I don’t really have a life outside of the forums. [(-D]


Tim, hope your daughter gets better real quick. More OJ on the way!

QUOTE: I am doing mortgages at 1.25%. Here in CA that is very low.

Anywhere that would be real low. I thought mortgage rates were up around 4-1/2%???


Capt_Turk, that’s big time tugboating then. A 4500’ tow, must have been a real challenge!!

QUOTE: siberianmo: Horribly Oversized?! Well, what a way to begin a conversation .......

It’s a closely guarded secret, but the truth is, if I had as much space as you do, I’d be modeling in Horribly Oversized too. But it’s hard to do more than a small timesaver in the 3’ x 6’-8” that I have for my door sized layout. But don't tell anyone, they'll take away my Ntrak membership card. [swg]

QUOTE: About two years later, an airline pilot friend of mine berated me so badly about no longer having a railroad, that I had to rethink my priorities!

Friends don’t let friends leave model railroading! [^]



Noah, so you got a bonus afternoon to work on the trains? Good for you.


Luc, good to see you back and posting. That must have been one killer cold or flu. Sorry to hear that Gloria is still having problems. No better prognosis from the doctors?

QUOTE: Did I miss a birthday in the last few days?

Not really, I messed up and thought that Feb 29 was Krump’s birthday, which set off a chain of congratulations. Turns out I was wrong.

However, today is TrainFreak’s (Scott’s) birthday. [bday] He announced it a few days back and most guys congratulated him then. Turns 16 today. We’re all waiting to see if he’s right about his assumption of a big loco for his birthday present.


Steve, good going on switching to another website for your signature photo. Looks good. Oakways???



Matt, congrats on your great score on ebay. I’m sure there are still some deals out there, but I find less and less that calls my attention. Probably requires more time than I’m willing to spend.



Well that should about catch me up for the day. Have a good evening, take care and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Hasta mañana,

Ed

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Attaboy

I've been looking for a post I saw earlier today about only a few of the newer people staying around and putting up with the craziness here. Can't find it again so I don't know who posted it but I stayed because of the craziness. This is a hobby, when it stops being fun, it becomes work.

A coworker sent around an email today with a picture of a man on a Mexican beach in his 'birthday suit'. He had a large sombrero over his head and smaller one over...well, another 'sensitive' area. I thought at first it might be Ed. Then I remembered Ed is a retired gent and that second sombrero was much too tall for that.

That was me! The post, that is. I posted last night: "Is it just me or does it seem to others that most of the new visitors that drop in here never come back? In this last bunch, Attaboy, Grubby and Capt_Turk seem to be still putting up with our foolishness, but most of the others I haven’t seen again." [:D]


Actually, could have been me on the beach too. How sunburned was that dude? [:0]



Hey, news on the culinary front. I made my first smoothie today. It was kind of a recipe bash but included stuff I had on hand, including a lot of orange juice. Probably needed a bit more yogurt, but I used all we had. Came out pretty good, if I do say so. The jury is still out as far as Fran and Junior are concerned. Mine probably only lacks a bit of Bacardi Solera. Reminds me of all the blender drinks I sampled back in my wild and younger days.


John, now that you're starting with your scenery mix on top of the foam I understand better where you're going. I didn't realize you were going to add such a think layer over the foam. Looks good. And it lets you be a lot rougher with the foam work. Since my block foam is essentially all that stands between me and ground foam, I have to get mine a lot smoother and fill all the little cracks with spackle.


Later, got to get back to my battle with the ground throw switch stands.


Ed

[Attaboy]

Hi, all. And [#welcome] siberianmo and revandy. I'm fairly new here myself but it's a nice place.

I've been looking for a post I saw earlier today about only a few of the newer people staying around and putting up with the craziness here. Can't find it again so I don't know who posted it but I stayed because of the craziness. This is a hobby, when it stops being fun, it becomes work. [:(]

A coworker sent around an email today with a picture of a man on a Mexican beach in his 'birthday suit'. He had a large sombrero over his head and smaller one over...well, another 'sensitive' area. I thought at first it might be Ed. Then I remembered Ed is a retired gent and that second sombrero was much too tall for that. [(-D]

Going downstairs and work on the suspended ceiling in the train room. Will check in later.

[Anonymous]

Evening all

Tom and Steve, layouts are looking good - just wish I had the space to build something like that!

Just had a great "score" on Ebay - pair of Rowa German coaches for £20, mint and boxed - should be double that. Was very nearly outbid by someone who appeared to have bottomless pockets - they'd already outbid me on two other lots and seemed determined on taking this one too, but luckily time ran out before they could bid higher than me. They're painted in the '70s era "POP" paint scheme - these colours look like they resulted from the DB having assorted tester pots around and using them randomly. Lilac and Cream anyone? Will post a photo when they arrive, might rival the pink locos of a couple of weeks back!

Well, nothing else happening here, just waiting for my pulse rate to go back down after the "near thing" on the auction. Bye for now!

[steveblackledge]

DER5997, those bridges look great, will look awsome when the grass grows around them, got the image posting sorted[:D][yeah]
thanks for the offer of assistance

[der5997]

Steve:

QUOTE: Thanks for the info Der5997, that explains the red X will have to try another plan

You're welcome. If you want a rail oriented place from which to import pics, www.railimages.com does it for some of us.
If you have difficulties getting set up, email either Ed of me, and we will be happy to walk you through.
[#welcome] revandy. First from Rhode Island, I think. good to have you along. You can tell us what we should be doing with the wood stove to keep both warm and safe[(-D]
I dug out my 20 year old scenery shirt and did some work on the end of the viaduct. Here a "before" - dosen't show it really well.
and here's some of this afternoon's efforts.





Now we wait for it to dry....takes a while.

siberianmo. No offence meant. We can stick to the long handle if that's your thing. Mine's an old phone #, so I'm not that partial to it[(-D]

Rosie-the-dog is making noises (was that really a barking cat you're about to take on WesternTom?[:O])
so I had best be looking out the dog food.
Chamber of Commerce again tonight. Maybe back, maybe not.

[JimRCGMO]

Oops! I guess I need to look more closely after I post - drinks are on me![:D]

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[JimRCGMO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo


Jim in Cape G .......

When I first got to Missouri from the mid-Atlantic back in 1977, one of my first business trips was to Cape Girardeau. To this day, I cannot understand the "Cape" in the name! Oh, yeah - the bend in the river - hmmmmmm - as a retired sailor (salt water version) when I think of Capes - well, they are Capes. Now, having thoroughly alienated you as a compadre -

siberianmo, you have hardly alienated me.[:D][;)] As for the 'Cape', bear in mind that this area also has what's called "Crowley's Ridge" - which isn't any higher than a decently ballasted mainline![(-D] Of course when you head south from Crowley's "Ridge", you get into land in the Bootheel that makes Kansas look like Colorado by comparison (no insult intended to any Bootheel residents who may be visiting).[;)]

Actually, I grew up in (North) St. Louis County when I was a kid (many moons ago) - well, northwest, actually. Back then (for siberianmo and anyone else familiar with St. Louis), Northwest Plaza was new. [swg] But nowadays, I prefer less densely populated areas (and roads) and then I can go to the larger cities if I need to get something I can't locally or online.

So no offense intended. After all, St. Louis was the first town I learned of where some of their streets are one-way going one direction in the morning, and one-way going the opposite direction in the evening...

siberianmo, what LHS (local hobby shop)(s) do you visit when you feel the urge? I used to like Irish Engineer's Hobby Shop (kind of south/southwest part of the county), but I'm not sure if it's still there. Nice little shop, one of those in a little strip mall, instead of the killer-sized ones. Our LHS in Cape is either a mom & pop LHS/art/crafts shop, or you can go to Hobby Lobby (which has basic types of MRR stuff, about retail except for the yearend inventory-clearing discounts). My [2c]...

Blessings and see you all later tonight,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[steveblackledge]

Thanks for the info Der5997, that explains the red X [:(] will have to try another plan

Hello to everyone in the coffee club

we have had a bit of a cold snap here but nothing to bad at all, temps went to -46 on the German Austrian borders,,BRRRRRRRR glad i am in the UK [:)]

done a bit on the boys railroad under mine, they want a helix style loop to a branch line, which was done without any trouble so they are happy now

Later

[JimRCGMO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by philnrunt

Ed- I've noticed that new folk come and go. Seems like only a few stay around here. I've also noticed that most people don't read all of the posts. My info to you about the Oakway units was repeated by others, and I know that I scan posts looking for stuff I want to respond to, but sometimes I miss some important comments. I guess some of us, me included, need to slow down and read the entire post. You get so much more out of it,and it dosn't take much more time. Pretty much all of us have interesting stuff to relate, and we can all learn something from each post. Just a thought.
...<snip>...
OK, ladies and gents, take care, and start shipping that warm weather out east, ok?

Phil, speaking only for myself, my usual problem is I'm reading through and see someone's posted a question, and I'll want to write something right then (but then as I go further down the posts, I'll find that someone else has answered about the same as the answer I wrote). I thought it was just youth that was impatient, huh?[;)][:D]

As for the weather, I'd go for that, but the people out east (like *** and others) might object, y'know.[;)]

Blessings on your afternoon,

Jim in Cape Girardeau (sunny this afternoon, but still somewhat cool - 50-ish)

[trolleyboy]

Hey I'm not alone in here right now.John I've already had "lunch' so i'll set and have a tea with you.BTW I talked to Doreen she was intrigued and is heading back to the mormon church to do some digging on those two names drop me an e-mail if you don't mind with the full names of those wayward Austin's you met.[#welcome] to revandy glad you said HI I'll buy you a tea next time your in.Sibmo can we just call you mo then[?]LOL it's good to have added someone else with a warped sence of humour it should fit in well around here.[swg] BFN Rob

[Anonymous]

Good dayy all.

Finally feeling a bit better. This cold was a "killer". I think I'll be able to go to work tomorrow.

[#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome][#welcome] Big huge welcome to all the newcomers to the cafe. i'll catch up with everyone later on.

As you can probably summized, nothing has been done in Gloetown. I'll have to contact the mayor to get updated on future plans.

Gloria has her days, some good and then.... well you know!!

Did I miss a birthday in the last few days? If so I'm sorry and [bday][bday][bday][bday] I hope you had a great day.

That's all for now

Happy MRRing

[Noah Hofrichter]

Howdy all! I’m in in the middle of the afternoon today, as we had an early out from school. It’s a nice sunny day out, but a wee cold with the wind factored in. I’ll take a nice glass of OJ, and go run the shop layout again, and maybe go work on my own layout a little after that. I’ll maybe see a few of you later!

Noah

[siberianmo]

Youse guyz are messin wit my monika (and I don't mean Lewinsky!)

It's siberianmo - and that's it! Sorry, some things are "sacred" in life, and one's name (aka: moniker) is one of them. Don't make me any more confused than I already am - please. Just "plain" Tom sounds so - so - plain. I mean why say in three letters what can be said in ten!

But, I accept the "welcomes" and hope to bring forth some of my own warped humor as time goes on.

Jim in Cape G .......

When I first got to Missouri from the mid-Atlantic back in 1977, one of my first business trips was to Cape Girardeau. To this day, I cannot understand the "Cape" in the name! Oh, yeah - the bend in the river - hmmmmmm - as a retired sailor (salt water version) when I think of Capes - well, they are Capes. Now, having thoroughly alienated you as a compadre -

Thanx very much for the welcome and other "good stuff." These kinds of groups are much more to my liking, even if some of you are out of step (so to speak) regarding your choices of scale. (I've heard it all - now I'm "defending" HO?!) Good Gawd Gertie .......

Gotta run.

[Anonymous]

[#welcome] to all the new people

Just got out of bed after another sleepless night.

not much going on here today... just a day of relaxation and computer stuff.

[revandy]

Last few months I Just been coming in ordering my decaf Latte and sitting in that corner chair by the window. Ya know, the one with the cafe flowered curtain that the waitress hung to give the place a homey look and feel. That window looks out over the tracks towards hobo heaven. Every now and then a freighter rumbles by, heads turn, eyes glow, and conversation comes to a complete stop.

Some of you have been calling me the lurker, the prowler, others just ignore me and others have been saying hullo with their eyes. It's a welcoming place, conversation here appears to be a three hundred sixty degree pattern, meaning anything and everything appears to be fair game. Me I'm just a geezer at heart, always remembering what my daddy use to say, son, he'd say, always look for a place where good, like minded men gather, and you'll find yourself in the best of company.

Thanks for the coffee, and sharing your time and life with me. I'll be in early tomorrow, sitting in my usual place, and maybe just maybe, I'll take a chance at chatting up some.

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: grayfox: Ed: I'm still waiting to see if you want more hollow core Luan doors for additions to your RR!!!!

Actually, I answered last night:

QUOTE:
grayfox: Ed, I have 3 or 4 flat panel luan doors that are sitting up in the garage 2nd floor doing NOTHING. Wouldn't they make a nice addition to the Copper Canyon Rail Line in Mexico ?

QUOTE: Yeah they would, if only I had the space to utilize them! I actually have one spare door with me, waiting for the day when I can find a way to use it for staging or something.

But thanks for the offer.

Regards

Ed

[trolleyboy]

Good afternoon Zoe and clubbers.I woke up to two more inches of snoah[sigh][:(!][V][xx(]and the sky still looking grey and unfriendly.I'm just going to lock myself in the train room I think,though after shovelling for what seems like a week I'm not sure if I'll be able to duck under the benchwork and do wiring.[#welcome] to siberianmo.There is most definatly roomfor more here and I sometimes snore in the corner as well[zzz][swg][swg]Well I'm off for now I'll try to pop back in later. Rob

[JimRCGMO]

Oh, I forgot, Missouri Tom - nope, that *is* the Mexico south of Texas that Ed's from. His family down there has orange trees, so he's been sending up a tanker full of OJ to the Coffee Shop every so often. [dinner] Some like the OJ nice and cold, others (including myself) will have it made into a smoothie.

Blessings, and I'm out of here again,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[JimRCGMO]

QUOTE: Originally posted by siberianmo


Thought I'd take that seat back in the corner - back against the wall - and listen to what's being said. I have lots of "history" to browse through in order to check out what's been going on ........ and to find out if there is room for another.

[#welcome] Tom (siberianmo), from another Missourian (Cape Girardeau, a bit south and slightly east from you)! There is *always* room for another here, and we can use your expertise and questions (depending on your mood on a given day). Have a cup of your favorite hot beverage (or cold, if you prefer) on me later today or tonight. Looks like Tom W. (the Georgia one) started a new page, so he gets to cover our drinks right now. Coffee Shop tradition, that.

If I recall correctly, you model in HO (called by some here - no me! - Horribly Oversized) [;)], is that correct? Bear in mind that those who call us that refer to their scale as "Normal", though... [}:)] [;)] We'll be looking forward to hearing some about your layout and what you're working on currently with it. (I'm just starting a second, smaller layout after a 30-40 year gap, modules - switching type for now, with the aim to merge them into a shelf-type layout when I get a non-apartment place).

You should be able to get some pointers from some of our northern residents in the Shop (John/der5997, Fergiemeister, and others) who live in Canada and can probably answer some of your questions. We have people from all over in here - New England to San Diego, to Portland, Georgia, couple from Britain and a couple who hail from Down Under, even!

So come in as often as you can/want to, kick back and see Zoe (day shift) or her twin Chloe (dinner and night shift) for your beverage and food requests. There's a nice stove to warm your toes up to when it's cold outside, and there's a pool table over there by the far wall. Noah (you may hear people refer to the white stuff as 'sNoah' in here) found the train layout over on the other side - we hadn't even noticed it ; must have been behind a cabinet, I guess.[;)]

Take care, and hope to see you around. Oh yeah, if you know of train meets/shows in the St. Louis area enough ahead (month or two), drop me an email through the forum, please. Not much of those down here in Cape.

Blessings,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[der5997]

siberianTom[#welcome] We've several Tom's and so we need to differentiate[:D]
Really approve your modelling choice, [^]even if your scale isn't Normal. Your history search may turn up that these designations came to the shop, via your's truly, from a chap in South Africa. He claims he got them from somewhere else[:D] We've added a few more, like Zimpossible and Gianormous. You know what? We completely overlooked your favourite,Supersizeme[(-D]!
I'm attempting to do some VIA and CN in the Maritimes. It's all very much a work in progress, and cash flow is a real factor.[V]
WesternTom:

QUOTE: Am I the only one around here whose Planning Gene goes out of whack occasionally? PLEASE tell me there are others---PLEASE!

Oh yes, there are others[sigh] My nemesis on this layout has been the AMI roadbed not going down where I want the track to be. I've been forever cutting off strips on curves, and re-applying on the other side of the curve once the rail has gone in. One good thing about AMI, I suppose, is that you can do that and get away with it[:D]
Sawdust and white glue await, so I had better get to it.
TTFN

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoonn gents, and a big welcome to Missouri Tom[#welcome]. Lets see now, we have Georgia Tom, California Tom, and now Missouri Tom....did I miss anyone?

A beautiful day here today in Cherry Valley, no snow falling, but we did wake up to another 2" that fell over night. Matt, do you want any over across the pond?

This afternoon I am ready to paint the blue sky color on the walls as part of the backdrop, we shall how much or an artiste' I am......I'm sure Lorraine will perform her usual QC duties and point out the flaws.

Ed: I'm still waiting to see if you want more hollow core Luan doors for additions to your RR!!!! AND, we are all out of OJ !!!!! How am I going to make any Fuzzy Navels????

Fergie Update: I just received an email from Fergie...he has turned into "Furious" Fergie. When they finally let his ship leave Labrador, they turned him loose in the middle of a fierce nor'easter......very rough seas, trashed his pad, but the MRR work survived. He is headed home.

Tim: 1.5% mortgages??????????? Where do I apply Tim ???????????!!!!!!!!!!! ,[^][^][:P][:P][:P]

See you later guys

[twhite]

Good morning all--heat up the Vienna Roast for me.
Matt:--OOOOH!! CROCODILES!! Switzerland's answer to the Yellowstone! Saw one in a museum in Switzerland a couple of years ago, had to have a model--gorgeous locomotive. Of course I have a little trouble explaining to people just WHAT a Crocodile is doing in the Sierra Nevadas on my layout (I just tell them pretend it's the Alps, LOL!). You're right about the side-rods, it's Hypnotic as all heck!
Well after all the cat jokes the past couple of days--guess what! My neighbor down the street is moving into a retirement apartment that doesn't take cats and--okay, you've guessed the rest of it, right? Just got back from meeting her cat (we do formal introductions around here), a Maine-coon mix named Wiley (as in Coyote). He's a red tabby with a tail about the size of a redwood tree and as a kitten, he was raised with dogs. He barks. Seriously. Also, he whines and follows you around like he's got a leash attached. And he surfs on throw-rugs. I'm thinking about it. Lowell and Spooky are so laid back that sometimes they're comatose, I think this little 14-pound two year old might liven the place up a bit. We'll see. Intros tomorrow. He's sure a cute little (!) devil, but I think he's seriously species-challenged.
Der: I think you're right about the Liturgist at my Parish--if she keeps the pace up, we'll be running around like Track Stars come Palm Sunday. Hope we calm down in time for Good Friday--that's an all-day affair for me (I said yes, I'd play for all three services. Trying to cut that Purgatory time in half, LOL!).
Well, as promised by the weatherman, finally, the storm's over and it's nice and clear out, time to open up the garage and lay some track. Excuse me, RE-lay some track. Am I the only one around here whose Planning Gene goes out of whack occasionally? PLEASE tell me there are others---PLEASE!
Later. Have a great day, guys.
Tom [:P][:P][:P]

[siberianmo]

Ed:

Horribly Oversized?! Well, what a way to begin a conversation .......

Actually, I had really wanted to go with S-gauge.

Let me back up a bit ......

I've had HO since the mid-60's - much of that was predicated on space available and costs. As the hobby, my income and my waistline all grew, and I made it to retirement, I found myself with lots and lots of HO "stuff."

When I retired, I built a trainroom in our basement to accommodate as much of the "stuff" as it could handle. The room, about 22 ft by 10 ft, wound up giving me a pretty nice dual track operation for my PRR - NYC - NH and B&M passenger trains to run - along with my "perfunctory" freights, of course.

I found that my railroad just didn't seem to flick my switch - and I'm glad that I never got to the landscaping stage - for I decided to take it all down - and I mean everything - pack it up and move on to other things.

About two years later, an airline pilot friend of mine berated me so badly about no longer having a railroad, that I had to rethink my priorities! This time, I built yet another trainroom - but only AFTER I had built the HO layout. Following this? My HO railroad turned out just a "wee bit" larger than the previous one - how about at least twice as big?

What happened to the S-gauge idea? Well, I did research the availability for the roadnames I wanted to model - the track systems I would need - the accessories readily found (figures, vehicles, etc.) and came to the conclusion that for what I had in mind, S-gauge just wasn't the right course for me to follow. That really was disappointing because I love the size of those trains - but since my wallet is as limited as most people that I know (except my airline pilot friend!!), HO was the choice - back to affordability, but more importantly, AVAILABILITY.

What happened to all the former HO "stuff"? All the loco's, passenger and freight cars are displayed in wall mounted 4 x 8 ft lucite cases. They continue to live!

So, you may call it what you may - but for me - my "Can-Am" railroad turned out to be as close to what I had in my mind as what now appears before my eyes.

By the way - THANX for the welcome!! (You do mean Mexico, Missouri, right??)

[Anonymous]

Afternoon all

Thanks for the kind words about the photos - looks as though I have to take photos in daylight from now on! Still waiting for assorted components, though hopefully they'll turn up at the end of the week. We've had a little more snow, though not much - came home over the mountain road today and stopped to help herd some sheep - they were all over the road so I trundled along behind the farmer's truck with my hazard flashers going - trying to give anyone coming up behind a little advance warning. Interesting convoy - quad bike, followed by sheep, followed by farm Land Rover, followed by me in Disco!

Capt_Turk, LGB are designed to run one around 20V I think - www.lgb.com and search their knowledge database would be the best source for this info. Good to have another G scaler on board, as well as my HO I have a small collection of LGB - starter set with one of their little "Stainz" 0-4-0s, ZIllertalbahn 0-6-2 tank loco, and around 12 cars. Luckily there's only a few items in their catalogue I like the look of - those were expensive enough!

Welcome to all the new people, this seems a good place to hang out - kind of the social part of the virtual RR club I guess.

Currently watching "Bahn TV" - German channel (Lupo may be able to get it?), found free to air on Astra 1b satellite, basically it's running footage of German (and sometimes other) rail operations with the occasional special programme or news report. Great for figuring out suitable train formations, and they often have some very interesting old electrics - recently a tour using the Swiss "Crocodile" rod-drive units, which become strangely hypnotic after a while - think it's something to do with the movement of the rods!

Bye for now

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: I have lots of "history" to browse through in order to check out what's been going on ........ and to find out if there is room for another.

[#welcome] Welcome to The Coffee Shop, Tom. Good luck perusing the history, but hanging around for a few pages should give you an idea of the flow. Always room for one more. Especially another retiree. And it's okay, even if you do model in Horribly Oversized! [:D]

QUOTE: Okay - I'll just stick around for a bit and soak up the great train talk. Never too old to learn anything and I promise that I won't snore when I nod off .........

Only some train talk, we're a pretty off-topic bunch. No problem with snoring either, I do it all the time when I nap. [zzz]



John, yes, I would be interested in that NdeM boxcar, thank you very much. No problem with the couplers as I'm in the process of replacing Rapidos on my other cars with new Atlas trucks with Accumate couplers. Just one more to convert. I'll email you.


Later,

Ed

[siberianmo]

Good morning all,

Thought I'd take that seat back in the corner - back against the wall - and listen to what's being said. I have lots of "history" to browse through in order to check out what's been going on ........ and to find out if there is room for another.

As I mentioned on another forum - I'm siberianmo and it's a no brainer to figure out where that handle came from. Hint: my dog's relatives came from a place called ........
and Iive in the "Show Me State." BIngo - you win the prize!

Okay - I'll just stick around for a bit and soak up the great train talk. Never too old to learn anything and I promise that I won't snore when I nod off .........