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

[Anonymous]

Good Morning All:

You guys have run through a lot of post since I've been on (our computer was hit by lightening, then we had a spare and now it's fixed, read that as replaced) all I have to do now is spend two days adding all of the programs back on.

John:
I realize that we shouldn't cry over spilled milk, but I'm bringing a Digitrax Zypher and Chief with me to show Fergie and I could have demenstrated it for you also. Digitrax is so much better then Prodogy. Before everyone gets on a bandwagon, I like Digitrax and have been using it for over two years. After you've gone to DCC I don't think that you will ever back up. When you get around to getting the first one with sound I think the slogan "operate in silence no more" will prevail. When I put my first Soundtraxx decoder in a United 2-8-0, it immediatly became my favorite loco, and got the wheels run off it. Next was a Proto E-8/9 and it was great. Not all of my locos have decoders, but all of them that have decoders have sound; A-B-B-A lash-ups excluded as I put sound in only one "B" unit. I'm bringing a couple of locos with me to show Fergie and if you aren't upset by foreign power I'll break them out when we get there.
I'm more interested in looking at your layout and seeing what you have done and stealing ideas then in selling you my ways. I've probably learned more from pike visitation then any other way as you can "touchie feelie" and see the results and best of all you can ask "stupid" questions about how it was done and what failed.



On the subject of TEA (a necessary bad habit):
I often wonder, if their hadn't been the PROBLEM in Boston, what would the South American countries have been growing instead of coffee. I was going to tell ya'll about ice tea having a season in New England but Tom beat me to it. I like Mint tea for the first cup and then Cherry Vanilla for the second. For the rest of the day I've got about 12 diferent flavors that I drink. Not all in the same day. I usually drink about four large cups a day.

On the subject of TOILETS (a necessery item):
I was remodeling the house and didn't like the idea of the water-saver toilets, it seemed to me that after I flushed it twice I didn't save any water and I had to wait for the tank to refill for the second flush. On a tour to Canada (Winnipeg), unbenownest to me, the TOILET FAIRY put a big tank in the belly of the bus. When I got home, I found it when I was cleaning up the bus. Being a frugal person and needing a toilet, I went down to Home Depot an purchased the matching bowl. It was the exact same toilet that I wanted to put in the bathroom. The TOILET FAIRY was very nice to me. When we put in the drain line we used 8" instead of 4", it cost more but I'll be dead and buried before it ever clogs up. It'll probably take a commerical ro-roter to clean it out.

Stephanie says that I have to get dressed and go to work so

Have a blessed day and remember SANTA FE ALL THE WAY
Bob

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: John asked: From your intimate knowledge of Marine Docks, can you help me with the dimensions of the steel pilings used to form dock walls? I'm thinking of the sort that make a U and inverted U pattern all along the dockside.

I think you're referring to 'sheet piling'. The I beams (more commonly WF or 'wide flange' beams) that Ferg mentioned are more likely to be used as the bracing for the sheet piling.

There's not a standard width but 18-24" center to center for the piling sections would be reasonable. Try some of these links:
http://www.hmc-us.com/hmcsp/spile.html
http://www.geoforum.com/info/pileinfo/view.asp?ID=44
http://www.skylinesteel.com/info_description.htm

A google search on sheet piling will turn up more hits that you can look at.

Regards

Ed

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by jhhtrainsplanes

HI All [:)]

I just stopped in, to see what condition my condition was in. [;)] [:D]

(Some of you will remember that lol ) [;)]

Too much going on to tell it all. Sorry I have not been "in" but there is soooo much nonsense going on at work that if I even started to tell you all about it this post would turn into a rant. [:(] [V] So I won't. [^]

Check this out [:p]

http://pentrex.com/panr.html

It is a 4 1/2 foot photo taken in 1940 of a Santa Fe Roundhouse. Pentrex has it on sale for only $4.95. There are both steam and diesel engines pictured in it. Pretty interesting if you ask me. [;)] Now for those of you looking for that "special" Christmas present for Jim (hint hint) this would work well. [;)]

Sorry, but I can't afford one for everyone on my addy list. [V] [:(!] [:(] But Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. [:D] [;)] [:D]

Jim, I told them over on Trains not to call out the dogs for you yet, but Kevin may not be so lucky.[swg]

[Anonymous]

Hi Andrew. [;)]

Looks like neither one of us have made it into bed yet. (But I am headed that way in a few minutes finally.)

Enjoy your trip. [:)]

And remember we always want to see more train photos. [:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson

I haven't been able to eat anything today with all the potty talk. What is with this 'topic', as it dominated the Ultimate Basement topic thread too, just because someone challenged me for not having installed a toilet in my basement (and that I go in the woods right outside the basement door instead. . .)
BILL

It was pure coincidence Bill. I wasn't the first to go to the toilet (talk) here. But I may have been the one to "stink" it up. [swg]

<BIG FLUSH.... Spray air freshener>

I think it all went down.

By now, I think everyone here knows that I can be full of it.[:0][;)][:p][:D]

[Anonymous]

HI All [:)]

I just stopped in, to see what condition my condition was in. [;)] [:D]

(Some of you will remember that lol ) [;)]

Too much going on to tell it all. Sorry I have not been "in" but there is soooo much nonsense going on at work that if I even started to tell you all about it this post would turn into a rant. [:(] [V] So I won't. [^]

Check this out [:p]

http://pentrex.com/panr.html

It is a 4 1/2 foot photo taken in 1940 of a Santa Fe Roundhouse. Pentrex has it on sale for only $4.95. There are both steam and diesel engines pictured in it. Pretty interesting if you ask me. [;)] Now for those of you looking for that "special" Christmas present for Jim (hint hint) this would work well. [;)]

Sorry, but I can't afford one for everyone on my addy list. [V] [:(!] [:(] But Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. [:D] [;)] [:D]

[Anonymous]

Hello, all. It's been a busy week for me here. Truthfully should be packing since I leave for my second trip to altoona in less than four hours and I need to get a nights sleep in before I leave. I finished my branchline today, and will finish up most of the trackwork soon. I also ordered two bethgon sets from my lhs and still waiting for my prdigy advanced to come. Hope everyone has a good week and I will be back friday
Andrew

[Anonymous]

Hello, all. It's been a busy week for me here. Truthfully should be packing since I leave for my second trip to altoona in less than four hours and I need to get a nights sleep in before I leave. I finished my branchline today, and will finish up most of the trackwork soon. I also ordered two bethgon sets from my lhs and still waiting for my prdigy advanced to come. Hope everyone has a good week and I will be back friday
Andrew

[Anonymous]

I haven't been able to eat anything today with all the potty talk. What is with this 'topic', as it dominated the Ultimate Basement topic thread too, just because someone challenged me for not having installed a toilet in my basement (and that I go in the woods right outside the basement door instead. . .)
BILL

[Fergmiester]

I'll have to think this one over John. But like everything else it depends on the size of the Dock and what size vessel it is accomadating. I would say 9" I beams would be in order for smaller wharfs and the size would go up as the size of the wharf increased. Larger docks may require 12" to 15" and some 24" I beams. BTW Maritme Hobby carries all sizes of I beams and round styrene round tubing as is used for pilings.

I'm off to bed as tomorrow comes fast and furious

PS John, Does MT require trackage rights on the MESS. I offer competitve rates!

If time permits I'll be going to the LHS (Great Hobbies) to look for some tools.

Huzahh!

Regards

Fergie

[der5997]

Fergie: You certainly do get around!
From your intimate knowledge of Marine Docks, can you help me with the dimensions of the steel pilings used to form dock walls? I'm thinking of the sort that make a U and inverted U pattern all along the dockside. I'm planning a small container dock and thought that this kind of wall would look good.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE:

Fergie: It 's the MRC Prodigy that George has had on sale. He took the HST off the sale price, and I bit.

I hope you enjoy it! BTW this is coming via Charlottetown. Oh how I travel. I bet you put a smile on the Old Man's face.

Not much going on here except I'm just about finished the Firehall and will start building the Marina Structures to-morrow.

Went for a bike ride up the Trails to Rails out of Charlottetown the evening (22km round trip), Couldn't ask for anything more perfect except a set of tracks and a steam engine to boot!

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by lupo

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

lupo: You wrote:
"maybe a good idea to get the discussion back to the other end of the food chain now ??
It's dinnertime overhere!"

Good idea! What's for dinner?
BTW, when is dinner for you? We have become used to eating at about 5:30 p.m., with a snack later about 8:30.
I know that dinner is later in the UK, usually. My brother is visiting from there in September, and I guesshe'll just have to get used to an earlier time! [D]

Dinner time overhere in the Netherlands is the same as yours 5:30-6:30,
tonight I had bacon, salad, potatoes and gravy , but I have to cut on the 8.30 snackingspree because I am getting square!

I know these English people have other times for having their dinner, but if you look at the food that they eat [xx(] I can imagine waiting as long as possible before having [:0] " dinner " !
( and they have "tea" - and lots of cookies and stuff - at 3 pm )

Tea at 3:00 has a sort of ring to it [:D]
When I lived there, there was a much more substantial thing called "High Tea" at about what we would recognise as dinner time. Then Dinner was later, 8:00 and on. AS to what is on that menu, ....I don't want to start a war![:0]
This evening we had pork chops done on the BBQ, with our own zuchini and runner beans, and "store bought" potatoes. 1/4 glass of a vaugely reasonable red (they are new glasses, HUGE compared to the older ones, why do the manufacturers of wine glasses have to make them so big?[soapbox])
Dessert for me was a small portion of breakfast cereal, fresh pineapple chopped on top, Sugar Free Vanilla icecream, blueberry yoghurt[#ditto] a few filberts, and almonds, 36% cream (sugar is an issue, but fat is not) and a sprinkle of ground walnuts. All portions small, total, respectable[:D]
Feel free to try it .[:p]

Got to get to the ndcc site to see if there are install instructions for decoders in the Atlas GP7. Also for an MRC 330 in a ConCor bud car, but I think I can get that one to go anyway. Which is by way of saying that I picked up a DCC system yesterday and need to get something with a decoder in it soon, or I'll go crazier than usual[;)]
Fergie: It 's the MRC Prodigy that George has had on sale. He took the HST off the sale price, and I bit.

[Anonymous]

NOAH
Don't you hate it when you have the time to do something, but no materials needed to do it?[}:)]

Well, I'm thinking of building a modular layout to get more out of the space I have, and a 4x8 just didn't have the potential for what I like- multiple mid-sized trains running through several types of scenes, with lots of industry.[:D]

So it's away to the graphing board sometime soon, I need to see what can be done with several 2x6 modules, although some of the layout may be permanently built if space abides...[:D]

[lupo]

QUOTE: Originally posted by der5997

lupo: You wrote:
"maybe a good idea to get the discussion back to the other end of the food chain now ??
It's dinnertime overhere!"

Good idea! What's for dinner?
BTW, when is dinner for you? We have become used to eating at about 5:30 p.m., with a snack later about 8:30.
I know that dinner is later in the UK, usually. My brother is visiting from there in September, and I guesshe'll just have to get used to an earlier time! [D]

Dinner time overhere in the Netherlands is the same as yours 5:30-6:30,
tonight I had bacon, salad, potatoes and gravy , but I have to cut on the 8.30 snackingspree because I am getting square!

I know these English people have other times for having their dinner, but if you look at the food that they eat [xx(] I can imagine waiting as long as possible before having [:0] " dinner " !
( and they have "tea" - and lots of cookies and stuff - at 3 pm )

[Noah Hofrichter]

Track laying begining today. Can't find track switches though, so I might not be able to make that Friday re-opening time[:(] Hopefully when we go to Milwaukee on Friday, somebody will have cheaper switches there. There used to be a hardware store that had the life-like switches for $5.00. There sold out of them though. I did get a new Hi Cube 40' boxcar for my new paper printing industy though, now I just need to get a switch to the track to serve the industry...........[|(][sigh][sigh]

[der5997]

lupo: You wrote:
"maybe a good idea to get the discussion back to the other end of the food chain now ??
It's dinnertime overhere!"

Good idea! What's for dinner?
BTW, when is dinner for you? We have become used to eating at about 5:30 p.m., with a snack later about 8:30.
I know that dinner is later in the UK, usually. My brother is visiting from there in September, and I guesshe'll just have to get used to an earlier time! [D]

[lupo]

QUOTE: Before we leave this topic, may i add that if you are planning on building a home, (or business for that matter) and have not yet put in the sewer connections, install a check flow valve. This costs WAY less than trying to clean up a sewer back up. an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or is it 22.5 grams of prevention is worth 450 grams of cure?[:D]

Couldn't you tell me that earlier? [xx(] It would have spared me from pickin up a wee bit more than 450 grams of $H1t the otherday, in the workshop beneath my house !
from that day on I store anything on pallets dowthere ! (usually these things happen during weekends, so you won't discover it a few days later.)

maybe a good idea to get the discussion back to the other end of the food chain now ??
[}:)][:p][B)][^] It's dinnertime overhere!

[Junctionfan]

Why can't my castle be furnished with a decent throne? Sometimes I would like to abdicate the damn thing out the window.

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by krump

who sewered this discussion? Toilets can shared plungers...

Yes they can, but as often as the low volume toilets get plugged, who wants to carry that nasty thing around the house. Half the time it isn't dry from the last use.[:0][B)][xx(][B)][;)][:D]

The ultimate basement topic was going down the toilet too. [:0][:-,][(-D][(-D][(-D]

The main drain for my house is about 100' long, and runs outside the house along the foundation wall to the septic tank. I would have run the line inside, but it would have gotten in the way of the train layout. There are two clean outs that that I hope I never have to access since they are in the train room behind the layout.

The hazards we model railroaders face in the persuit of our hobby.[:I][;)]

Before we leave this topic, may i add that if you are planning on building a home, (or business for that matter) and have not yet put in the sewer connections, install a check flow valve. This costs WAY less than trying to clean up a sewer back up. an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, or is it 22.5 grams of prevention is worth 450 grams of cure?[:D]

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

Lupo glad to see your back in one piece! I thought I was going to be infor the night but we have to sail again (The new Captain is a Slave Driver!). So until we meet adieu

Regards
Fergie

PS 1 fire station almost complete c/w painted brick. Law office painted and weathered just needs lawyers and a CVT Truss Bridge built and partially weathered.

And Teffy I'm still working on the Logo

Regards
Fergie

Fergie: Glad to know you've been able to answer the age old question "Who needs Lawyers?"[:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by krump

who sewered this discussion? Toilets can shared plungers...

Yes they can, but as often as the low volume toilets get plugged, who wants to carry that nasty thing around the house. Half the time it isn't dry from the last use.[:0][B)][xx(][B)][;)][:D]

The ultimate basement topic was going down the toilet too. [:0][:-,][(-D][(-D][(-D]

The main drain for my house is about 100' long, and runs outside the house along the foundation wall to the septic tank. I would have run the line inside, but it would have gotten in the way of the train layout. There are two clean outs that that I hope I never have to access since they are in the train room behind the layout.

The hazards we model railroaders face in the persuit of our hobby.[:I][;)]

[tomwatkins]

Good Evenin' Everybody,
It was a good day today. No time for railroading, but I did get the 2nd coat of primer on the walls as well as some other odds and ends. Tomorrow the base color coat goes on. Progress is being made and the sooner I get it finished the sooner I can get back to the railroad.

Teffy, I know what you mean about kids being in and out and things changing. All three of ours who have "officially" moved out have been back several times each as circumstances change. That's OK. At least we can do it, and they know they're welcome and loved. It can make for some interesting times occasionally though.

Ed, you're right. the extra finished room would make a great crew lounge. I hadn't really given that possiblity any thought. The ballet bar isn't brass, but I guess that would be OK.

Yes, tea in the South is mostly served iced and sweet. I do like hot tea, usually Earl Grey, which I think is excellent. I still like sugar in it though. I don't know that I've ever tried it with cream or half and half. I might have to give it a try. I did have an interesting experience with iced tea in Massachusetts one time. I tried to order it with dinner at a hotel i was staying at, and had stayed at several times before. This time was after Labor Day and I was informed that iced tea was seasonal. They'd have it again after Memorial Day. I got hot tea and a glass of ice.

Since I don't like running up or down the stairs, the rule here is one plunger per toilet, and it's kept close. Floods aren't fun

It's getting late and tomorrow will be busy, so it's time to go.
Have a good evening everybody,
Tom

[krump]

who sewered this discussion? Toilets can shared plungers...

[der5997]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Thankfully the plumbers didn't touch our stuff. Because it was brand new and it was one of those environmental B.S clog easy toilets, we were O.K. I don't like those toilets; they require a plunger sometimes just because you flushed a kleenex never mind anything else.

Was in a restuarant loo today that had a notice "Please do not put anything but toilet paper in the toilet" Made me wonder if I could use it![:0][:D]

On the coffee / tea thing, your comments reminded me of the coffee my mother used to make that was European style - hot milk , and usually instant. The milk formed a skin on the top of the coffee if you didn't drink it right away.

"Regular" in the most used National Chain of coffee shops around here means just as in NYC.
How about a "Double Double", or a Tripple Tripple", and as I heard once, a"Quadruple Quadruple"? (Now there's a person who likes it sweet and fat!)

Fergie, welcome home! We have a view of clear ocean to the southeast, but rarely see shipping. The odd cruise ship shows up at night heading into Halifax. (Haven't seen them heading out, maybe too far offshore on that tack?) More rare still is a container ship.
Traffic into Sheet Harbour is on the other side of the island, but we sometimes see the tops of the masts as they head out if they are big enough.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Junctionfan

Thankfully the plumbers didn't touch our stuff. Because it was brand new and it was one of those environmental B.S clog easy toilets, we were O.K. I don't like those toilets; they require a plunger sometimes just because you flushed a kleenex never mind anything else.

Yeah, they do clog easily. My kids do it more often than I do. I may have to stop feeding them, they already give me enough crap. I swear I should buy more plungers.One per toilet.[swg]

To bring this discussion back to trains, some people think that I have flushed a lot of money down the toilet buying trains, but I think they're full of crap.[:0][:p][:D][;)]

[Anonymous]

Hi guys. Boy, I had a great day! got to see a CSX GP38-2 and an MOW orange CSX GP38 drone kick some cars. I also got to see the regional CSX office and the local Amtrak Station (it's an Amshack).

[Anonymous]

My Favourite Tea is well, Hot Tea with Sugar.

[Junctionfan]

I like peppermint and lemon blend myself.

[krump]

Fergie and Teffy -
some Tea suggestions for your visit are 1) Morning Thunder (AM) and 2) Sleepytime (PM), just don't get them mixed up, and NEVER COMBINE them 'cause that'll just mess with your head...

some of my favourites are Early Grey / Black Current combined, and I'm also enjoying Yurba Tea (initially tastes like wet shoe leather) about once per week.

Alas, ... ME LIKE COFFEE.

cheers