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

[JPowell]

Sorry JH... don't do sugar in my tea, unless it's the 'sweetened, powder can' stuff.... I used to be able o drink it balck when I was in the US Marines...not anymore.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester





Jim: I think we need to establish some rules here! No talking about food before 12 Noon! I should not have the urge to pick up the phone and call for Pizza before I've had my first cup of Java.
Canadian Bacon MMmmmmmmmmm......

OK, I won't talk about pizza before noon (try to anyway) BUT . . . biscuits and sausage gravy are a whole different matter. [:D] If I have never told you that I like biscuits and sausage gravy, well let me do so now. I LIKE BISCUITS AND SAUSAGE GRAVY [:p] [;)]
Just ask them in the magazine coffee shop, they can tell you how much I do. [:p] [;)]

The low last night was around 58 and I am loving it. No $$$ spend for heat or air condition. That is definately my kind of weather. However they are again forecasting 85 for highs the next few days. But with any luck and some wind I won't have to turn the a/c on.

Has anyone talked to Bob? My cell phone bill is going to be outragious so I am trying to hold off calling him. I have not talked to him in the last couple of days.


Chris [:)]

Because the dog has destroyed the couches and carpet I met Bob at a McDonalds. We had cokes and chatted and showed each other some HO models we both had. Duchess is not mean by any means, but she is very onary and sturborn. She is very playful but plays very rough. Plus with the two ladies traveling with him it was better that we met away from the house. That would be an option for forum members who might like to meet but circumstances would hamper a visit to their home. Just a little "thought" to keep in mind, that one can visit and meet forum member away from their home if need be. That way, a new friendship is formed which is more personal than just forum visits and emails, plus you never know what "goodies" you might receive. I mail items to forum members all the time. There are a few surprises enroute to Canada right now, being hand carried by our Texas connection. [;)]

Yuck, my coffee is cold. [8] Almost nothing worse than cold coffee. Except maybe coffee with sugar and cream, I take mine straight. Actually once you get used to coffee that way, IF you put sugar in it, it makes it taste bitter or sour. I do like sugar in my tea though.

Well everyone have a super day. [:)]

[JPowell]

Good morning all - Any French Vanilla/Hazlenut flavored coffee available? If so, I'll take a 20oz cup, 5 cream and 4 sugar as well....Thanks.

EGMURPHY - Thanks for the 'Welcome' mat... Yes i've been here before on several occasions, not as of late though....

How's the weather out everyone's way? Anyone on here from the Syracuse NY area besides me? Kinda on the cool side...cloudy w/ scattered light rain in the area right now.

[Fergmiester]

Good Morning all.

I'm in the home stretch now, more wires hooked up and more rail is running. I've actually got sections of track that work now after several, OK ...... 10 years of abandonment!

The basement still looks like a pig sty but it's raining so that will be one of several priorities today.

I worked on the decals last night and might have a set for Bob's arrival.

Florida Phil: It was a year ago this morning we awoke to the ravages of Juan, though we havn't been hammered anything like what you guys have I can imagine the devestation. Our hearts go out to you as I know this will take awhile to put behind you. I spent a good week with a chain saw in hand, once I could find one, cutting up fire wood and clearing up the mess. Went through the backyard and found 5 different colours of shingles, none of which belonged to me, thank goodness. Beleive it or not they are still clearing the woods in our area. But as with every thing in life this too shall come to pass.

Jim: I think we need to establish some rules here! No talking about food before 12 Noon! I should not have the urge to pick up the phone and call for Pizza before I've had my first cup of Java.
Canadian Bacon MMmmmmmmmmm......

And on a final note if anyone is interested I am a free agent looking for a new contract[8D]

[philnrunt]

Hey guys- Hope all of you are doing great. Seems like there IS a whole lot of layout work going on, and that is as it should be.
Ed- You always impress me, your styro buildings are neat. I tried that about 2 years ago, making 3-D backrounds, all went well until I absent mindedly sprayed them with enamel, the it looked like a Dali painting. Also, I do believe I took a picture of the refinery you worked at in Sarnia. It looks like that whole shoreline is covered with industry. I'm thinking of trying to make backdrops out of the pics I took, we'll see how they come out.
Ferg- Thanks for the welcome back and congrats on making that catch. I imagine the death of a BLI engine would be rather devastating, both emotionally and financially.
Tom- We go to Cumberland Mt, the Cranks Gap area. We actually camp on the 9Pick one) Va-Ky state line, Lee Co-Harlan Co line or the Tennesee Valley Divide. I've been going there for (groan) 29 years, this will be my 57th trip. I consider the place as close to heaven as I will ever get! It just so happens we can 4-wheel above the only working switchback on a mainline RR in the US. You may have heard of it, Hagans Tunnel on the CSX. It's featured on the Pentrex vid Eastern Ky Coal. Pretty good vid if you don't have it.
Christopher- While not an overt KCS fan, I do like that RR, how can you not think it's neat after you see the yellow taped handrails? And WHITE engines! They were outstanding! I always thought that when someone models that in N, there would be no more new frontiers.Now, after seeing what some are doing, I've changed that to Z. And I fully expect someone (maybe you) to do it. So rest assured that there a are quite a few closet KCS fans about.
Keep up the good work, guys!

[Anonymous]

Well I know where Jim is, he is working everyday after school at the pizza place. He either posted this in this thread or I was talking with him on an "IM". I don't remember which now. [B)]

Sure would be nice to visit Jim at the pizza place. I could really go for a large Canadian Bacon, Mushroom, Hamburger, Sausage and extra cheese pizza right now. [:p] (Onions, green peppers, more mushrooms would be ok too. [:p] )

Well check out the new links in the thread about Teffy's trip. I had a link especially for Fergie of a Allegany but had trouble in the forums posting it. Not once but TWICE I received an error message about contacting the administrator and reporting the error. I lost the post both times. [:(!] [:(!] [:(!] Then when I went back to "get" the link again, I couldn't find it. [:(!] [:(!] [:(!] So no link for a nice big Allegany. [:(]

Everyone remember me talking about the trains.magazine trouble maker. The one who calls himself Kissmycaboose7. Well he is at it again. Now I know for sure that I am not the only one he "gets to". There are several threads now in reference to him. One of the threads talks about a 4 letter word for a hobo, and when you go into the thread the word is, "Jail". [;)] Several have responded to this thread. He did go by trainfinder22 but I believe he got booted under that nic and has returned using Kissmycaboose7. Sooner or later we won't see any posts from the new nic, can't say exactly when, but I would imagine soon. He seems to be rileing up quite a few in the trains.magazine forum.

Well time to walk the four legged garbage disposal and see if she left any pillows with "stuffing" in them. [8] [:0] [B)] Trust me I am not kidding. She has destroyed 2, yes 2 couches, the coffee table, and has "dug" holes in the carpet. My patience grows very thin.

Have a Great Day <Anyone want a dog?>

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Noah

Jesse has been missing from the forums since 23 June 2004. That is 3 months that we have not heard from him. [:(] I am kinda worried about the little guy. He and I did email each other but I have not had an email from him either.

Please drop him an email, I think you do have his email addy.

Hoping for the best, everyone cross your fingers, a little prayer wouldn't hurt either.

OK guys and gals

Search Party.

One of our clubbers is M I A.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=187706

Help find Jesse PLEASE.

I can't imagine him going off the forum cold turkey. Has anyone heard from him lately?

I hope all is well with him but until we find him I will worry. I know we shouldn't worry but . . . well you know.

I wouldn't worry Jim, school is back on. I haven't seen Hawks either. They'll both turn up eventually.

[Anonymous]

Jim:
Actually, at the moment I would mind a visit, since I don't really have any work to show off, and certainly no layout. But sometime that'll change...[:p]

SRVfan:
Nice to see someone besides me like the KCS. You hardly see any KCS fans out there.

[fec153]

Tom W-Thanks for asking. He stayed in his trailer and came out smelling like a rose.
He is one stubborn [censored] lucky[?] guy. No damage except a few tree branches.
I know he is tired of fighting all his problems and the docs don't seem able to get rid of the pains he is enduring.
Going to a train show and sale. Anyone looking for a special item?
Fla.Phil

[Noah Hofrichter]

Jim, have you tried starting a main thread about him? It might help some. And if you ahve his adress you ight try sending him a snail mail letter. Sure hope you find him of his whereabouts.

Not much around here today. Went to the dentist after school, which explains my late entrance here. Better get going soon too, because.....I bet you can guess............ That's right! I got homework to do. See ya'll later!

Noah

[egmurphy]

Way to go, Fergie. Good to see you still have some spring in your step. Reminds me I need to put some kind of permanent bumper in place (maybe a nail sticking up an inch or so) at the end of the 5 tracks I have that run to the edge (or very near the edge) of my layout (two engine stall tracks, one spur, two future interchanges). I almost parked my Doodlebug on the floor yesterday. Ran it onto the interchange to 'park' it while I ran something else on the main and threw the slide switch to cab B instead of center off. Fortunately it high centered when it ran off the end of the track. [:I] [:O] I'm still getting used to the dual cab idea, and have a way to go yet until I get to know the switches automatically.

Speaking of John, where is der when you need him? He's in N scale and has DCC, no? I think it was a lack of response to the question on "Need N Scale DCC Decoder Advice" that set n2mopac off on the rant about not being able to get advice and fluff threads like Coffee Shop getting too many posts. John needs to chime in on that one (the DCC thread, not the anti-fluff rant).

I'm behind in responding to questions and comments, I'll have something later.

But meanwhile, welcome to James, SRVfan and JPowell (don't know if you've been here before or whether I was just sleeping). [#welcome] So many new people dropping in it's getting hard to keep track. (And they wonder why we have so many posts here???!!!) [:D]

Hasta luego

Ed

[Fergmiester]

And my life flashed before my eyes! But I was able to put Kirby Puckett to shame as I dove and caught it in midair as it tumbled towards the ground.

I'm talking about my P2K 2-8-4[:O]. With Teffy's arrival immenent I have been going through the paces of getting my tracks back upto par. I've got now got 95% of the track wired and working but made a slight error. I've put in two new braces under the table, which inadvertantly realligned several sections of track. Now I've got a lot od shimming to do. The flat lands would have been so much easier!

John Woods called last night and will be bringing a friend to my place when Teffy is in town. Hopefully I can get the evil gremlins out in time.

Anyway back to the rails.
Fergie

[tomwatkins]

Good Afternoon Everybody,
It's been a busy and very good few days. Sorry I haven't been around much, but I've been hanging out with my son. The trip up Cherola got fogged out yesterday. We started getting into it at about 3000' and by the time we got up to 4500' it was solid. Turned around and came back. This afternoon was beautifully clear, so we're going to give it another try tomorrow. It's been a really good few days. He has to head back on Saturday so then things will get back to normal.

There's been a lot of progress made on a lot of ya'lls railroads lately. Outstanding!

Noah, that's a great logo. It really looks good.

Ed, the idea on the foam stand-in buildings is excellent. They look good.

Philnrunt, where in Va. are you going camping? It should be beautiful there this time of year.

Fla Phil, how did your friend come through the storm? That's a hard one. I had a friend a long time ago who just gave up. Too much physical and emotional pain and it was just too much. It's been a long time and he is still missed. I hope your friend is Ok.

Better go for now. Have a great afternoon, Everybody,
Tom

[JPowell]

Afternoon all - Thought I'd stop in and see how all were doing. Been busy w/ my real job, w/ work on my layout, and w/ the wife and kid. Sometimes I wonder about the latter though. Anyways, sunny and about 70 here in Upstate NY.

[Anonymous]

Fergie [:)]

Yes, it did seem like Jesse was into several activities. With him volunteering at a human society that tells me that he had a good heart. Bad enought to have to clean up after your own animals but then to volunteer to do that somewhere else tells me he definately had a love of animals.

Snake is still around. The last email I had from him was about 4 or 5 weeks ago. Things could definately be better in his life so everyone please remember him in a prayer every now and then.

Teffy's trip is sure a long one. I hate driving but this trip does sound like a lot of fun. I posted a link in the trip thread (Teffy's Epic Journey) that everyone might like to check out for a little railroad history. I started a thread in the trains.magazine forum with a link of the same thing. One of the first posts said that the "history" wasn't quite up to par. I don't know either way, I just wasn't around then. [;)]

Wonderful morning here, low around 62, I love it. They have revisied our forecast and now the high for today is only about 75. I am liking that too. [:)]

Everyone have a SUPER DAY.

OH, yeah, N J MIKE [bday] tomorrow. [oX)] [C):-)] [4:-)] [C=:-)] [dinner]

[Fergmiester]

Sad thing is I don't remember Jesse. You go through the old threads and it makes you wonder what happened to alot of our "Fallen Flag Members" such as Erie Diamond, Snake, Lightbender, ACL Fan (miss him alot) etc.

Ok I checked the link to JCTrain and looking at his profile he seems to have his hands into everything. Which is not always a good thing. Hopefully he is thriving and has just put his energies into other acivities. It's hard to focus at that age..... or our age.....at any age[:(]

Paul: the turntable is on hold right now as I'm in clean up mode for Teffy. Funny how after doing the alignment, then installing the rail and then painting the well everything is slightly askew. I have to set in new bigger/wider rollers and then file some rails, install hand rails, find a better way to regulate the voltage to the motor and then hopefully it will work. If not I'll use it as a stand for my Big Boy and put in on display!

SRV Fan: I believe you've hit the nail on the head.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

Noah

Jesse has been missing from the forums since 23 June 2004. That is 3 months that we have not heard from him. [:(] I am kinda worried about the little guy. He and I did email each other but I have not had an email from him either.

Please drop him an email, I think you do have his email addy.

Hoping for the best, everyone cross your fingers, a little prayer wouldn't hurt either.

OK guys and gals

Search Party.

One of our clubbers is M I A.

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/member-profile.asp?id=187706

Help find Jesse PLEASE.

I can't imagine him going off the forum cold turkey. Has anyone heard from him lately?

I hope all is well with him but until we find him I will worry. I know we shouldn't worry but . . . well you know.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

Hello Everyone,

My first time here, just wanted to share a thing with you all.

We have a "thought for the day" here at the college I go to.

Today's was "You can have a steam train, if you only lay down your track."

Well that it.

Buy for now.

James

Don't know if this is connected, but Peter Gabriel's song "Sledgehammer", has a lyric "You can have a steam train, if you just lay down your tracks, you can have an airplane flying, if you bring your blue sky back"

It was released in the mid 80's, if this is just a coincidence--pretty weird. But more importantly, welcome aboard.

Music fan, KCS fan.

SRVfan

[Paul W. Beverung]

Chris; I heard from Arrgo a couple of days ago by E-mail. I had asked him about his weathering.

That visiting sounds good. If anyone is going to be in the North Texas area let me know. I'll get a run day set up on the live steam system.

Ed; The mock ups look good. That way of doing them should be faster than doing them out af cardboard. I've done some mock-ups out of poster board. I sprayed them with a red-brown primer and than dusted them with flat black. They are still in use ten years later. They look too good.

Welcome James of the big sky blue. Glade to have another person to chat with.

Ferrgie; Did you get that turntable tamed? I'm waiting to hear somthing on my layout. If I don't sell it I'll start on raising it to a base level of 52 inches. As I get older the duck under has to get higher.

There's not much going on down here. We're getting ready to vaccinate cattle Friday. That is always a real rodeo. I usually get kicked once or twice. Maybe I'll be lucky this time.

Bill; Have you ever tried roasted pecans? We'll get a little fire going if it's cold when we're picking. Sometimes there will be a few nuts in or on the edge of the fire. They tast good to me. Try it.

Well I'm going to hit the sack. Take care all.

Paul

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, I've been trying to find some of those at the LHS (local hardware store) but I can't find any that are very small. I'll have to check atlas's website, or maybe hop to the Home Depot in the next few weeks. You've really been alot of help Ed, I appreciate it a bunch. Thanks alot.

Noah

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: Ed, have looked at toggle switches, but they have to be set down into the board, ...That's why I liked the selector idea because it can sit on top of the board with just a hole for the wires.

In that case the selector may be just your ticket. Easy to mount to the surface. I'm sure your LHS will carry them. You might want to get some Atlas 'spade connectors' (or whatever brand) while you're there also. They make connecting wires to terminals so much neater than just hooking the wire around the screw (at least imho).



Chris asked: "Has AggroJones posted on this thread lately?"

Haven't seen him here recently that I recall. Must have been on another thread.




Ed

[Fergmiester]

Ed: That's cheating..... Not actually if I would that smart. I have several structures that will never see my layout as they are either too big or not right for the theme I'm portraying. My hat is off to you sir.

Not much on the MR today as I had to stack a chord of fire wood this morning and this afternoon saw me run out an orienteering course for the Cubs, which is coming up on Saturday.

Tomorrow the remnants of Jeanne will pass through bringing rain and quality time in the basement.

Later guys

Fergie

[Anonymous]

Has AggroJones posted on this thread lately? Somewhere I thought I saw his name...

[fec153]

ed-thats one smart idea. heck of a time saver to.
Fla.Phil

[Noah Hofrichter]

Ed, I really like that idea! That's almost better than carboard, as I'd think it's a little easier to work with. Will have to keep that in mind, as I've got to do that soon.

Noah

[egmurphy]

Afternoon group,

Just a quick one because I wanted to show you something I was playing with today. I'm starting to work on what my rr's industries want to look like when they grow up. I have an idea of what is supposed to go on each spur, but plan on eventually scratch building all industries, because most of what is commercially available really doesn't fit the architectural style of what I find down here. I don't have a real clear idea of what I want in terms of size/looks/form for each siding, but it was time to do something.

I had earlier suggested to Noah, when he was in a similar situation with a new section, that he work up cardboard mock-ups of the industry. Fast and easy, and gives you a chance to decide if the bulk, siting, arrangement, etc of the structure fits the space. So I was about to start on the cardboard mockups (in fact, I made some crude oil storage tanks from toilet roll cardboard) when I thought about using foam. I've got lots of tiny pieces of left over (or better said, not yet used) blue foam, plus some larger blocks of white styrofoam from appliance packing (which I don't plan on using for scenery base). I wondered if I could do this easier and faster with foam.

Here's a quick look at the first attempt.



This will wind up being my largest industry (and the only one with two spurs to the same user). I think this will work. Still have to make some shed roofs for the loading platforms (out of cardboard) and I may paint the foam to have the color or whiteness be less distracting. But considering the small amount of effort I put into this, it looks like it will work for me for it's intended study purpose. Heck, these may be left in place for a while depending how I do with the general landscape scenery! I still will play around with these shapes for a while, and will undoubtedly make revisions before committing myself to real material and effort. For example, I still need to fab the conveyor gallery that will connect the two buildings on the left.

Those of you experienced at building with cardboard may find it just as easy to keep doing that. But I thought this worked pretty quickly. Anyway, just an idea that I thought you might be interested in. If I get this developed a bit further I may make a separate thread out of it.

Hasta luego,

Ed

[Noah Hofrichter]

Fergie, I try to Keep my grades up, and boy do i study hard sometimes. Ocassionally if you squint hard, you'd think I was a steam engine.[:D]

Ed, have looked at toggle switches, but they ahve to be set down into the board, and I don't have the capabilites to do that around here (ie don't have the right tools) That's why I liked the selector idea because it can sit on top of the board with just a hole for the wires.

Jim, Tried giving Jesse an e-mail about two months ago when you asked then, didn't get anything. I didn't know him real well, we talked once or twice through e-mail, but I don't have his addy though, sorry. Hope you can get something from him, I to have been wondering where a few people have been getting to.

Not much on the Wisconsin front today. Better go hit the books again, got a light amount of homework to do. See you all later.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Noah

Jesse has been missing from the forums since 23 June 2004. That is 3 months that we have not heard from him. [:(] I am kinda worried about the little guy. He and I did email each other but I have not had an email from him either.

Please drop him an email, I think you do have his email addy.

Hoping for the best, everyone cross your fingers, a little prayer wouldn't hurt either.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Student of Big Sky Blue

Hello Everyone,

My first time here, just wanted to share a thing with you all.

We have a "thought for the day" here at the college I go to.

Today's was "You can have a steam train, if you only lay down your track."

Well that it.

Buy for now.

James

This is something akin to "having your cake and eating it" isn't it?

James you might mention to the "Prof" that there many a steam engine that became a stationary power plant at the end of the steam era and they didn't sit on the rails either!

[Anonymous]

ED [:D]

Arkansas IS northwest of Mexico. [:)] [;)] Just a little helpful hint for planning your NOB Fall Foliage trip for next year. And of course Teffy is between me and you. Then of course Noah is almost straight north of me (since he never gets any visits [;)] ).

You know I bet Chris and Jonathon wouldn't mind a visit either. And then there is Andrew in Ohio. Could turn out to be a very nice trip. Others who visit the coffee shop might also extend a warm welcome. Our Georgia connection [;)] might even throw in an invite. And by next year maybe our Florida friends would have cleaned up and dried out and might like a visit. My oh my, the possibilities are endless. I just hope the money isn't because visiting all the forum members could get expensive.

Jim
(Your Helpful Tour Coordinator [:D] )