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

[JimRCGMO]

Good Evening, Flo - a decaf and a hot fudge sundae, please. Thanks, MTL! Hey, Flo - when did you bring in that comfy chair back by the pool table? I think I’m going to plop down in that, since it’s unoccupied right now. Ah...

Dick, you’re probably righta about HD - would you get a stockholder’s discount if you put some of that money into their stock, or is it cheaper to just buy all the materials and have that free parking space up front? Good that you’ve been getting Phase II insulated before the cold weather hits there. Better than freezing if you had to do that after it gets chilly.

Ohmigosh, Ed! - if you don’t know what Flip’s last photo was, the rest of us are for sure likely to be in the dark! My best/worst guess would be if it were part of a freight car’s truck or suspension, maybe... But I see from Flip’s answer that I was wrong on that, too. Oh, well.

PC, Great to hear about the two churches getting together - yes, that sounds like definitely a work of the Spirit, with absolutely all yes votes. Pretty amazing what happens when we get out of the way. Good luck with your work on the car. Actually, (not that it’s any consolation...) your ‘57 Buick is probably ‘simpler’ to work on than more recent cars, where you have to have computerized and/or specialized tools to do much of anything on ‘em.  Even the 1980 Chevy Caprice that I had several years back, I could do more on than I can with my current 1997 Cavalier. On the Caprice, I replaced the turn signal lamp/bulbs pretty simply, pulling the housing out of the back of the reflector and changing the bulb. Think I changed the taillight assembly almost as easily. But you’re right about the newer cars - the engineers show no sign that they consider us poor blokes who either are going to work on it (or pay for a prof. mechanic’s time), having to take half the car apart just to change one simple part.

Speaking of cars, yesterday and today, my car’s been overheating (well, getting to the red zone on the dial, and I try to pull it over ASAP). Today I just made it from my place to church and when I got out I saw something had been leaking (small damp trail where I’d pulled up and then backed into my parking spot). I’m afraid I may have either a thermostat going out, or a leak in the radiator or in the overflow tank. When I made it back home, I got the jug of antifreeze in the closet (left over from an earlier car) and added to the overflow tank. On this car, the windshield washer fluid has a crack and won’t hold fluid either (not as critical with that), and I’m thinking it could be like that with the antifreeze tank. Just don’t need more expenses right now that I can’t afford. But I trust that God will get me through this, too.

Flip, looks like you’re getting some track in running condition! And just a wild guess, but would the B&M happen to be your favorite road? I was thinking like Ed, that you’d have a Florida RR.

MTL, ask Chloe or Zoe and they might have some suitable chow for your dog back in the storeroom. Same stuff they feed the guard dog at night out back...

Switchman - and thanks for the link to the Hobo Dictionary! Tell us a bit about your layout (scale, modeling a particular prototype or freelance, how far along on it, etc.) and sit a spell. Just watch out for starting a new page - that’ll cost you the drinks for that page (just ask PC - he has lots of experience with that...).

Lisa, hope your back therapy goes well for you. I'm guessing you start that Monday or later this week?

Mike, sorry to hear your trip turned out to be not-so-productive. Let me see if I have this right - the store manager is upset with you because he doesn’t have the parts you want, and because you are reluctant to just order sight unseen? I would expect he’d have a way (like some parts dealers do) to pull up a picture of what the part looks like. Our auto parts store here can look up most of the parts they can order on a microfiche or on computer. Sounds like your dealer’s got more of the problem. After that trip, you may have needed the Tylenol..

Paul, good luck with the planning for your mines area. Looking forward to seeing pics once you get going on that.

Fergie, good to hear about your Dad's improvement. Hope your (real) workers get going (and done) quickly. At least you got some exercise in today. You're right about the leaves being about to put on the fall show. Amazing the way it all works together to produce those colors(colours)!

Anyone heard from Teffy lately? I was wondering how he's been doing.

Didn’t get lots done on the layout this weekend, but I did get further along on my MR layout planning entry (one, anyway). It’ll have a medium-sized yard, engine terminal and couple of industries in one corner, a mine in the opposite corner, plus another town with some good switching challenges, and a double track for an interchange.

Blessings for all of you, and a great week,

Jim in Cape Girardeau

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-18-06

[Anonymous]

Good morning.

 

 

Happy MRRing

[inch53]

Mornin all, cup of Luc's coffee and a couple of Bill T's doughnuts, Zoe

Rainy here today, started bout supper time last night, highs toy uppers 60's, dropping to a low in the mid 40's tonight, so it's inside chores  and kids. Worked on the layout some during the game, didn't get much done. Sorry bout the rant yesterday, I just get tired of stores say one thing and do another. We use to buy alot at Rural King, but it's been less and less the last year or so, because of prices and severvice. Mother doesn't get mad like that very often, but that smart--- collage kid had it coming with her attitude.

Switchman, welcome to the CS, hope you enjoy your visit here. That for the link on hobo glossary. I was suprised at how many words are still in use today.  Got to meet a few hobo's as a kid, all those years ago.

Duke, ,, thanks for some more of Flip's pics and Flip thank you too for sharing

Colby,,, yes the girls allow pets as long they behave too.

Paul, I didn't scream, but they knew I as very unhappy. Sad part is, this isn't the first time for some thing like this in the last couple years for us and some others we know.

Fergie,, glad to hear your dad's doing better now..

Jim CG,, hope ya get the car lined out cheap.  Oh they had pics of the part, just no measurement, and there was 3 different shafts. I can't afford $80 x 3 to get the right one.

A couple of you wanted a layout pic, just don't expect to much. Still got a long way to go

Got kids today, so not much of any thing will get done and with the rain and styck inside, it'll be a long one. Need ta get on my chores, hope ya'll has a gooden

inch

[Fergmiester]

Anyone heard from Teffy lately? I was wondering how he's been doing.

Jim in Cape Girardeau

Talked to him two weeks ago and Bob is... Bob! don't matter how you spell it. He's well and so it Steph. I'll probably call him again this week just to say hi again.

Another great day here as the temps will be in the 80 range.

Helena is expected to be a cat 3 in the near future so keep your eyes peeled and fingers crossed.

Later All

Fergie

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

   I'll have a regular and one of the donuts please just a glazed if you will Zoe. Foggy and still dark just now hopefully the sun will burn off the fog and we'll have aother gorgeous day. Got some time in at the museum this weekend, got the roof of the former CN coach patched where an earlier patch had failed. As I ground down the welds and surrounding area the blue VIA Rail paint was still there and under that gray, and primer beneath that. Almost like doing archeology. While up there I found several more areas to check out, but clearly this 28 x 22 inch area was the source of most of the leaks.The inside of the coach has been gutted as it was to be a resturaunt, but that project sputtered out, we ended up with the car and its' mate, and we're converting it to an event car for birthday parties and the special events like Halloween and Christmas when we host a lot of kids. The folks who were doing the conversion spent a ton of money on custom panels and filigree inside and we now get to stain and finish all 86 feet of it.

   Inch - I hate it when stockists are unhelpful like that. Got lucky fixing the riding mower and found a great place that knew what i needed and even had stuff in stock. When I get upset with people my son refers to it as "Dad playing helicopter" seems while vocalizing my displeasure I also tend to flap my arms a bit. I do try not to do that any more as I found it really doesn't help.

   Fergie - glad your dad's doing better and good luck getting the addition up and closed in before winter arrives. Had any time to work on the layout?

   Time to pick up tools - lots to do this week including a trip to Plattsburg to deliver a car to my son and then (yeah) a ride on the Adirondack back home. CUL,  J.R.

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning All,

 Fergie - glad your dad's doing better and good luck getting the addition up and closed in before winter arrives. Had any time to work on the layout?

 

Thanks everyone for the thoughts and prayers.

As for the layout it's a low priority right now as clearing up the garden, getting Lisa prepped and to work (50 min. round trip), seeing Dad daily and all the other fun stuff it's been difficult to settle down.

Dave B. (Stripes2) sent me some building blocks to play with and my progress with those has been slow to say the least. great product with a lot of applications but I just don't have the energy or get go right now.

Went for a 20 km bike ride yesterday but that was more to "blow the carbon out" then anything else. It worked as I felt good after the ride, well most of me did anyway as my "tush" is a tad tender this morning.

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Well Guys, Therapy starts today I hope it does the trick, I've been dealing with  this long enough.

Dick, I'll let you know what the Doc says, It may be a while he wants to reduce the pain before starting me on exercise.

can't stay Mom's coming over to watch the boys so I need to run. Talk later

[pcarrell]

Morning Everyone!

That coffee sure does look good Luc.  Care if I grab a cup?  Thanks!

JimRCGMO, 

One would think that we humans would learn to get out of the way and let the Spirit do His thing, huh?  It always works better that way.  But we just HAVE to "help", don't we?

I know exactly what you're going through.  Does the fan kick on?  That can cause you to overheat real quick.  Also, make sure the radiator cap is holding the right pressure.  That can cause problems.  And it could be the expantion tank too.  I had one go out on my other car.  I'd lose fluid because the cracks in the bottom of the tank would heat up and allow fluid to leak out.  Eventually enough would leak out to cause me to overheat.  When the tank was cool the plastic would contract and the tank wouldn't leak.  I had the darndest time trying to figure that one out.  Or you might have a situation like mine (see below).

Anyways, I replaced my thermostat and it didn't cure the problem.  I figured a new radiator cap was $4 and I have 250,000 miles, so maybe that was it.  At $4, why not at least try it.  Well, that didn't do it either.  I'm pretty sure it's the water pump itself.  I bought a new one, but I don't have time to put it on, so I'm going to have to pay someone to do it.  I did the water pump on this car about two years ago, and it's a bear.  The last time it was the plastic (!) impeller that had shattered(!).  I think it's happened again.  But it's OK, because at "Ford, quality (!) is job #1", and they have "A better (!) idea".  A PLASTIC impeller!  Who ever heard of such a thing?  Who's idea was it to make internal engine parts out of plastic anyways?  Just crazy!

Lisa,

I hope the therapy helps.  I know when my son does therapy it really helps, but he's real sore for the first few days.

[grayfox1119]

Good afternoon everyone, a spectacular day here today, 77F degrees, blue skies, low humidity.
Still working up in the 2nd floor of the garage on Train room Phase2. I sure am glad that I decided to use what is called "attic" trusses, as they give me a 30' X 16' area all free space.

I posted this web site a week or so ago, but I don't know if anyone could open it Ok because I ddi not receive any comments. As I am Beat Testing MS new operation system, called VISTA, I am wondering if you guys could go to this site OK? It has a short video that shows the Conway Scenic RR overhaul of their Canadian built 0-6-0 that is used to pull passenger cars on daily excursions. You will also see it brought out onto the the oldest steam operated turntable in the country..quite a scene, check it out. If you cannot just click on the web address, then copy and paste it into your web browser to go to the site.

http://www.conwayscenic.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.steam7470

Back to the train room, see you guys later,

[bjdukert]

Afternoon all

Ok,two more of "Flips Pics" coming up and I think the first one is his security system and the second is the Man himself.

Looks like he could be practicing to retire like Ed does.

That’s about it and Best to all on sick call and to those recovering.

Inch Have you heard from RT and how he is doing??

Talk to you later

Duke

[egmurphy]

Looks like he could be practicing to retire like Ed does.

Close, actually it seems like Flip is a lot more flexible than I am.  No way can I lay down on my stomach and turn my head on my arns like that.  Hurts the shoulders too much.  I'm more of a "lay on your back and snore loudly" type of retired guy. 

Ed  (back to sleep......)

 

 

[fec153]

Hi gang- Ed , I retire every night but darn it , have to be up by 5:15. In fact,  I should be showered already.

Harley , Deb's dog, is now 5 months old and weighs 5.2 lbs.

That clump of hair on my back is my pony tail. [O.K., everyone jump in with a joke.]

Duke, once again, Thanks for posting.

If I have the time, I'll start loading my Fla. cars on the tracks.

Ed- I also have about 40 G.N locos and cars.

Gotta go. Blessing to all and pleasant dreams.

Flip

Ed- p.s. Can't sleep on my back except on the couch.

 

[der5997]

Hi gang: Not much time, so I’ll be brief. First of all, thanks Noah for the GIF / MS Paint info.  I’ve found a web based Gif editing program, but haven’t tried it yet.  The Paint route saves graphics as gifs just fine, now I hope I can play with them a bit in this program. All that’s pretty peripheral to mmr and the chores and appointments coming up, however.

 

I heard from krump today. He’s on 4 weeks medical leave to care for his wife Christine, and their 3 children.  Christine has had severe chronic pain for years, and just recently underwent surgery to try to correct a possible cause.  This has not proved successful so far.

He asks for your prayers for her healing, and for the whole family at this time.  The children are of course worried, and there are no “pat” answers.  Email me for his address.

Here’s the last part of his post.

Please pray for relief, comfort, painless living, recovery, and rest.  God has a plan, we don't yet understand.

Please let the folks at the model railroad forum that I will check in periodically while I'm the home-nurse.  Give them my regards, and perhaps a brief update (share it as you wish - forum, church ... ) that recent surgery was done, pain and recovery are the current challenges for my wife.

Thanks again,  I miss hanging out in the forum.  I'll be back when things settle down here.

Cheers, krump

 

To town tomorrow, medical and dental, oh joy!

 

Goodnight all, and God Bless. Prayers for all in need of healing, comfort and peace.

[Paul W. Beverung]

Evening Gang: I had a surprise waiting for me when I got home. The stuff I ordered from Walthers was on the porch waiting. I just ordered it last Wednesday. ( Ed I just added that to make you jelous.) The mine head kits are really fantistic. They are European looking but not so much that they can't be Americanised. The two boiler houses are pretty good as is. Maybe I'll do alittle to them but they are pretty good.

I got some more done on the Cliffs mine head. The windows are taking some time. Mainly it's the thickness of the PVC that makes it take so much time. My fingers get sore too soon. I guess it's from getting old. 

Not much else going on. I will take the Mary Anns diesel truck in to work with the trailer to pick up some of the corn. It's supposed to be about 58f in the morning, which figures since her truck dosen't have a heater.

Well I guess I'll head for bed. Good Night to All. 

[egmurphy]

Flip:   That clump of hair on my back is my pony tail. [O.K., everyone jump in with a joke.]

What's to joke about?  If you've got enough hair at your age to sport a pony tail, more power to you.      I will say that it's not how I had you pictured though.      GN huh?  Sounds like you've got cars from all parts of the country.

Paul B:  ..It's supposed to be about 58f in the morning...

It broke 100 here today.  We were out working at the orange grove during the middle of the day.  Bad move.  That's way too hot for an old, northern boy like me.  I came home totally knackered.  I'll tell you, the things I do to ensure a supply of OJ for The Coffee Shop. 

Hasta mañana,

Ed

[NSlover92]

Hey ya'all how is everyone today! I just wanted to pop in and say hello.

[wetidlerjr]

Good morning ! from Indiana.

09-19-06

[inch53]

Mornin all, coffee Zoe

Cool start here, 49, sunny this mornin, then cloudy, highbout 65.  The guy from Rural King called yesterday and after talking to him we figured out the right part  # and it was is stock in Mattoon. They had a truck coming to Charelston and were bringing it there. So now have the part in hand and ready to be installed. I'm happy, won't have to push mow the whole yard.

GMT,, the kids say I swell up like Sgt Carter [Gommer Pyle USMC] when I get mad and they knew some body was in trouble

LisaP, good luck with the therapy.

PC,, was reading a few year ago, one of them was testing a composite plastic engine. Looked promising at the time, half the cost and half the weight. The test engines had over a 100,000 and still ran ok

Dick,,, tryed to copy /paste the link, didn't work that way. Then I typed in www. conwayscenic.com worked fine.. Thanks, KC liked the steam engine.

Duke,,, thanks for Flips pics again,

FLIP, #1 son seen your pic, figured you were an old hippie biker.

Haven't talked to RT yet, but plan on trying this evening and see how things are going

DER, we'll be thinking of Krump, hope every thing s comes out ok.

NSlover92, good to hear from you, whats you been up to,

Not much planned for the day, but chores, no kids today, so maybe I can finish up a couple things. Best get started, hope ya'll has a good day

inch

[GMTRacing]

Good Morning All,

   Nice temps out but overcast this morning. Worked late yesterday and didn't get anything done on the layout except some yard sketches.

   Inch - glad the folks worked out the part and found one for you. That is how it is supposed to work but rarely does anymore.I try to look up my own part 3's as musch as possible since the guys on the counters get all bothered when they ask the application and tell them a 1959 Lotus 7 - Climax and there's no listing for it. Nice layout pic looks to be a good start

   Grayfox - I had the same result as Inch trying to cut and paste but I think it was just my ineptitude with puters. How are the new sneakers on your Explorer?

   Ed - I thought you were planning on going native - aren't you supposed to have a siesta around noon? After all you are neither a mad dog or an Englishman.

   Der - good luck with the GIFs - I'm happy just getting the smilies to work. Speaking of which - it's time to get to work - CUL, J.R.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Good mornin' and top 'o' the day te all a ye. Just popped in to say hello and let you know what will be happening here today. Since I am now going DCC, it is time to re-wire the layout. I'm doing it in a way that I can keep multi-block control and also be able to switch to regular DC if so desired. My plan is this: There are 16 blocks, each block will be wired to a DPDT switch with the DCC power going to the bottom terminals and the DC power going to the top terminals. The center terminals go to the block. Thusly, when I flip the switch up, the block will be on DCC and when I flip the switch down, it will be on DC. The center position will be off. You can tell already that this is going to be great fun, can't you. Well, better get busy. See you lot another time.

[Anonymous]

Good morning.

I’d like you to meet the member of the family. His name is Big Foot

He is about 6 yrs old, fixed, all black and stays out of the train room, he doesn’t the noises coming from the trains...

Why the name, you ask?. Well he has 6 toes on each of his front paws.

He has been with us for a week, his previous owner were going to have him put away because they are moving to a new apartment and pets are not allowed.

He is a good cat and very clean plus he’s an excellent companion for Gloria.

Oh! Yes... the coffee

Happy MRRing

[egmurphy]

   Ed - I thought you were planning on going native - aren't you supposed to have a siesta around noon? After all you are neither a mad dog or an Englishman.

  

Actually, since I'm retired I no longer have to keep to a schedule.  So it's naptime whenever the spirit moves me.  Mid-morning, noontime, after lunch, teatime, they're all potential siesta moments for me.  In fact, I'm a bit sleepy right now!      But every now and then you have to get up and actually do something.

I really prefer going out to the grove to work in the afternoon, rather than going in the morning.  If we go in the morning, by the time we finish up, and at the point when I'm bushed, the sun is at it's peak and it hits me harder ("noonday sun" effect).  If we head out in the afternoon, by the time we are finishing the sun isn't as strong, longer shadows, and a slight breeze starts to come up.  I don't feel as completely wrung out.  So tomorrow we're heading out in the afternoon.

Ed

[pcarrell]

Hi Everyone!

Der, please tell krump that I'm praying for all of them.

PC,, was reading a few year ago, one of them was testing a composite plastic engine. Looked promising at the time, half the cost and half the weight. The test engines had over a 100,000 and still ran ok

I remember that.  Wasn't that Ford too?

[Cox 47]

Howdy all....Can't stay long got infection in my right leg and Dr. says keep it elavated so that means not much time on computer...You all have a good day.....Jerry

[SilverSpike]

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Howdy folks! I’ll have a tall strawberry banana smoothie, Chloe!

Not much happening here. Been a few days since I checked in here and thought I might see how you all are doing since my last peek in the door of the CS….

I did get a little train work done, cut out an 8 foot section of plywood for the double main line. And re-worked the layout plans, I needed to make up for 8 inches of layout space on the west side wall that I lost due to the 2X4 studs I had to add for the bracket benchwork attachments. When I was taking measurements for the middle peninsula benchwork area I noticed that the aisle was only going to be 22 inches. Whoa cowboy! That was 8 inches too tight, the aisle was supposed to be 30 inches. So….it was back to the drawing board and I had to cut out about 8 inches on one side of the benchwork area, not too bad though, I just have to move the roundhouse over about that much to compensate for the compression.

Price of regular gas is now at $2.27 a gallon in Wake Forest, NC. I hear that some places are below $2.00 a gallon now and I’d like to see that happen here soon.

Duke, yep, Apex is just around the bend, eh!  Looking forward to that! And thanks for posting the Flip Pics of the Week! Thanks to Flip too!

Speaking of Flip, how is the driving going these days?

Ed, speaking of being flexible! My stomach would get in the way, I would look like a beached whale if I did that!

Dick, after your finished working on the 2002 Explorer with 45K on it, can you takes a look at my 1999 Chevy S10? It has over 75K on it now!

Paul, Cracker Barrel breakfast huh! We love that place, going to have to scoop up and buy a few of dem der rockin chairs on the poorch soon! So, what is your CB breakfast favorite? I love the pecan maple pancakes!

Jim in the Cape, anytime you need help with the benchwork, I am virtually available at any time, virtually that is! Thanks for the kudos on the progress too!  I know what you mean about spackling paste getting too hard. Seems like once you open up a can of that stuff it starts to age quickly…

Gas is down to 2.33 and lower in IND. now, and no it don't seem like much of a bargin to me either. Remember buying gas for 18 cents before, 30 to 32 was normal back then. I could go on a date, buy gas, go out for a burger, a movie, then go down to the Wabash and watch the submarine races, for less than $10

Inch, those were the days weren’t they! But they sure do want you to think that you’re getting a deal today at $2.27 a gallon. And I love the Ice Cream for your Soul story, every time I read it. Thanks again for bringing it to my eyes! Great, great, story! And great pics as always….

PC, less than two weeks to the move, but who’s counting huh!

Switchman, Got a recipe for that Hobo Gumbo?  And have a seat and get us all caught up on your whereabouts and such…

Lisa, good luck with the therapy sessions!

Luct, thanks for all that fresh coffee and … put er there podna, errr big foot, nice to meet ya!

Cheers,

Ryan

[Paul W. Beverung]

Hi Gang: Since Ed seems to be ignoring this I thought I'd give it a go. Ed was top of the page on this one. In that case I'll have the Porter House, medium, baked patato, salad with Roqufort dressing, and a bottle of Merlot. No not that house stuff the really good expensive stuff in the celler. I hope that Ed has a real good pension.

Not a whole lot going on here at work. I'm trying to get the stuff in the haunted house ready. Since entertainment has lost most of the pieces that I need ( as usual) I went to HD and stocked up on all the stuff I thought I might need. Dick your parking place is secure for awhile.

I drove the truck with the trailer in today to pick up a load of the corn. There isn't as much this year as in the past. I can get it with one trip with the trailer and a load with the new truck tomorrow.

I'm going to gut out for now and I'll see you all later. I see the girls coming with my steak and it looks good.

[pcarrell]

PC, less than two weeks to the move, but who’s counting huh!

It's 10 day's and about 11 hours, but I'm not really watching the clock or anything.......

[Paul W. Beverung]

Ryan: Mary Ann is partial to those Pecan pancakes too. Mine is the Sunrise Speical, with the three meats.

PC: I'm glade that you arn't counting down or anything. Have you got somethings packed up yet?

Well I'm on my way out of here. I'll see you all later.

[ModelTrainLover]

luct- your cat looks evil!!

 

Afternoon from Maine rain is comming. I have a couple pices of styrien foam not cleanly cut.. any one have a sugestion on what to do with them?