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

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It is another beautiful morning in the mountains, and it's going to be a wonderful day. The coffee is excellent this morning, and it's Friday. Strange perhaps, but even being retired I still look forward to the weekends. Got some errands to run and some chores to do this morning but nothing major.

Noah, Outstanding on the consist. You're right, it's a wonderful feeling when something works the way it's supposed to. It's also a strong confidence builder which is also really good. You're also right about it being a better addiction than the other. There are lots of better addictions than those. As Jim said, we are with you on that and you can do it.

Jim, how have you been? I guess you're studying hard for your licenses. Good luck.
If everybody that wanted to could have packed themselves into those suitcases they would have been some heavy cases.

I'd better get this day lit off and going. Later everyone.
Tom

[Anonymous]

Middle teens, late teens, 20s, 30s, 40s and so on and so forthe, we all HOPE, and we all know you can do it Noah, we are behind you all the way.

Well everyone, I am not posting as much as normal but I do try to read everyone's post every night and see what is going on. I sure wish I could have "packed" myself in Ed's luggage and went on his trip. One of these days I might get to ride the narrow guages, so I will look forward to that time.

Everyone take care. [:)]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Tom, who else but the Wisconsin and southern. I think I'll do number 3807. Got a consist of three locomotives to run without flaws today. It's a great feeling to just watch them go, instead of going "you stupid thing don't you every work!" all the time. I think it'll be a better addiction then drugs, and I hope it'll get me through My middle Teens without trying any of that stuff.

Noah

Noah

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's a beautiful day in the mountains today. It is going to a hot one, with highs right up about 90, but it's July. It's supposed to be hot this time of year. My plan is to get out and get the yard work done early so I can be down in the basement long before the temperature peaks.

Noah, I think running trains is a mild and non-harmful addiction. I really enjoy working on the railroad, but sometimes I just want to watch the trains run. It's truly fun. I saw your post about the loco you picked up on e-Bay. What paint scheme are you going to redo it in?

Phil, the Graham County RR was a short line that ran from Robinsville, NC down to a small 3 track interchange yard located just east of Topton, NC. They interchanged with the Southern there. The Graham County had extremely tight curves and 6% grades. They ran from the 1920's until the mid '70's. Motive power during my time period was a pair of 3 truck Shays, numbers 1925 and 1926. My version of it will branch off from a siding at Topton and run up a 2% grade to a 2 track interchange yard, then up a 5% grade to and through a hole in the wall to a staging track in the adjacent room. It will be short and very abreviated, but it will work.

I don't know where Bill has been. I know he had a trip planned, but I thought it was in Sept. I've heard that short term memory is the first thing that goes. I forgot what they say is next. Anyway I believe it.

Dougal, Sounds like yesterday was a good day for train watching. Enjoy, and let us know what you see.

Well, it's time to get busy . Have a great day everybody,
Tom

[Anonymous]

Went railfanning on Tuesday and saw this

Time Trainsymbol Engines
6:12 PP&L coal train, power unknown
6:20 212, power unknown
7:03 unknown SD40-2 high hood #3221, GP50 high hood 7079, GP38-2 high hood 5158, SW1001 2102 (this wasn't a local, very long train)
8:00 18G SD40-2 #3366, SD60M (CR paint) 6777, C40-9W #9358, SD40-2R (ex Pennsy) #3434
8:52 11J C40-9W #9805, C40-9 #8778
10:16 34A C40-9W #9318, C40-9W #9135, C40-8 #8763, SD40-2 #1650, C39-8 #8627, C40-8 #8704.
10:25 262 C40-9W #9394, C40-9W #9347
12:25 34M C40-8 #8303 (CR paint), SD70M (phase 1) #2590, SW1001 #2110 (CR paint)
1:40 38G UP SD70M (phase 1) #4113, C40-9W #9460
4:00 35A C40-8W #8341 (CR Paint), C40-9W #9570

between this time we missed a freight and 261

6:07 unknown C40-9W #9871, C40-9W #9266
6:25 light power move C40-9W #8930, C39-8 #8536, C40-8W #8447 (LMS paint, no lettering) WC SD45 7515, C40-8 #8706, C40-9W #9347

[philnrunt]

Tom- Is your Graham County an industrial shortline, a bridge route or what? I think shortlines are by far the best area to spend my modeling efforts in, as Class 1's are so impersonal anymore. Now if it's a Class 1, I take all that back.
Where's Bill? Did he go on vaca?Have i just forgotten that he told us he'd be away awhile? They say memory is one of the first things to go, seems to me it's just one of a long line of things that fight to be first.
Fergie, let me know how those wood kits go, I've been wanting to build one. My last building spree was in poster board with wood framing, and I ended up wanting to use more wood and less posterboard. It's fun to work with. I've been wanting to get a selection of scale lumber to see what (other than toothpicks) I could come up with.
Well, gotta go, take care.

[Noah Hofrichter]

Tom, I know what you mean about not being able to run trains for a few weeks. Finally got the Layout back in order and I'm running the train I got off of E-bay like it's going out of fasion.

Noah

[tomwatkins]

Good Evening Everybody,
Today was another beautiful day in the mountains. Progress continues on selecting the materials to redo our daughter's room. So far we have four paint swatches on the walls so we can get the color " just right ". We're getting close and that's a good thing.

I got the railroad back up and running today. The problem was in the command station. After not being able to run trains for over a week it was fun to get it up and going again.
I've got some yard work to do first thing tomorrow morning and then I'll continue installing the roadbed for the Graham County RR. The next thing to do is to accurately locate the position for the hole in the wall to take it out to staging.

Phil, I'm glad you enjoyed the concert. I'll try to keep the contest from degenerating to that point. So far, so good.

Better go for now, have a good evening everybody,
Tom

[philnrunt]

Just took the last plane out from Margaritaville, and it was one of the more enjoyable visits I've made. Jimmy was in a talkative mood,(like he would have any reason to not be) and the music, the scenery ,and the girls, oh the girrrrrls!!! Great time, just great. Both concerts this year have been way better than expected. On the 17th I'm going to see 1964 The Tribute, a bogus Beatles band, only cost 10$ so I figure wot tha hey.The Buckinghams will also be there, so it won't be kind of a drag. I know what you're saying- HOW DOES HE DO IT???? Or was that WHY does he do it? Oh well, anyway, it was great tonight- did I mention that?
Andrew- A friend brought me the KISS Symphony DVD, and Tommy, Ace's replacement isnt bad- he rocks just fine. But it would be fantastic to see the original 4 together again. I paid 27$ in 1977 to see KISS and AC-DC, and I thought that was quite a chunk'o'bucks. Ahhhhh, memories.
Tom- good to hear you are "holding your own" with the squirrels. Wait a minute, that was the last thing Capt McSorley said from the bridge of the Edmund Fitzgerald. Well, hang in there. I'll get in touch with Gordon Lightfoot, just in case.
On the way home tonight, I got to (mostly) hear and see a CSX freight roll by the WhiteCastle, it sounded like Alco had brought back the 636's! Had to be GE's, but very loud and stacatto. They were pounding east on the old CR line thru Anderson-Muncie. Wi***he lighting had been better so I could have gotten a positive ID on them.
Hang in there.

[Fergmiester]

Greetings!

Not much to say tonight as I'm in for another night and gone again tomorrow. Modelling was slow the last four nights as I was busy, Hopefully this will change the last two weeks of the trip. I was able to start the Blair Line General store and Rix Harware store. Wood is definately in guys. Anyway gotta go see you in two!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle

Hi guys, I'm back from the Adirondacks. Got back last nite, what a differance in temps between Fla and Norhtern NY.

emeraldisle,

See any trains while you were up here in the North Country? I don't see much except our scenic railroad and my occasional trips on Amtrak's Adirondack. I haven't spent much time out near Platsburgh but probably will set aside a day or two for train watching there and across the pond in Vermont.

You left the Adirondacks a couple of days early. It warmed up a little over the weekend. I usually say only half-kiddingly, that we have two seasons, Winter and the 4th of July.

Wayne

[Noah Hofrichter]

I finally got to go railfanning the Canadian Pacific line in Wisconsin Dells last night. I got to go to the "recently I saw" thread in the TRAINS forum to report about it now, so I'm off.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Phil-enjoy the concert. Jimmy puts on a great show. He took a concert venue in ohio and turned it into the bahamas for one night. Pretty impressive. Tonight I'm working the Kiss/poison concert. I was bummed to find out that it's only two of the orginal members. One being replaced is Ace Frehly which bummed me out but I got to see them last year so it should be a medium size easy concert tonight.
Codyr- If the line is actually as close to your house as the pictures depicts, your a lucky a man. I would be in heaven if I RR actually ran through my back yard.

Noah- don't feel bad I'm in my third year of college and according to the website I couldn't pass 4th grade.

Today my mom leaves for europe to spend time with my sister and in two weeks my sister will be home from almost a year of traveling. It will be great to see her again. On the same note my father just left for a week of work in Indiana, so my brother and I have the house foro two weeks by ourselves.
Andrew

[tomwatkins]

Good Mornin' Everybody,
It's a beautiful morning in the mountains. Yesterday the weather was superb. The sunshine was beautiful and greatly appreciated. We went down to Helen, Ga. for the day. It's a little tourist town about 40 miles south of here. Louise and Shawna shopped, we hung out and played tourist for a while. Then we had a late lunch and came home. No trains to watch, no hobby shops to check out, but it was still a good day. Last night the thunderbumpers rolled in big time. Lots of wind and rain and an impressive light show in the sky. Today I've got to clean the leaves and branches off the roof and make sure the gutters are clean.

Phil, the contest with the squirrels continues but it is a contest only at this point, not an armed conflict. Enjoy the concert. You're right, it's a dirty job but somebody has to do it.

Cody, that photo is looking good. Either your deck is very close to the track or you've got a nice telephoto lens.

I'd better get going for now. Hope everybody has a great day.
Tom

[Anonymous]

The Internet is getting more stupid everyday.

After about 2 minutes of "trying" to find page 2 of a certain thread I get this message:

Can't Find the Web Site www.trains.com

Yeah, right! You can't find a website the size of the state of Wisconsin. Maybe we should send the "Internet" back to school.

[Anonymous]

Hey Codyr [:)]

I have a joke for you. [:D]

How do you catch a "Unique" Rabbit?
You neek up on it. [:D]
How do you catch a "Tame" Rabbit?
Tame way. [:D] [;)] [:)]

lol [:D] lol [:D] lol

Now don't let any of them engines unique up on you anymore. [;)] [:D] [:D] [:D]

[philnrunt]

codyr- Either your deck is REAL close to the tracks or you have big giant engines down there! [;)]Keep trying, get us some good shots of those down under locos. Is this a Tranzrail line? Are there any other lines, or is Tranzrail it? I've visited their website, they have a good one, easy to understand and navigate.
If you get more pix, consider putting them under their own post, so we can check 'em out.[8D][8D]
Bill,Ed,Tom, Andrew et al- If everything goes right, tomorrow by this time I should be returning from Margaritaville. This is an outside venue, but we have seats under the pavillion so if it pours, like they predict, we should at least have a fighting chance of keeping our seats. Really looking forward to it.
I have a whole group of people wanting to go on the pizza train, now we have to work out schedules and transportation. Looks like Aug 28 might be the first viable date.
Has Ed made it to the Colorado NG RRs yet? How long is he up here for? Hope he gets some good pix.
If you hav'nt visited the Trains forum, check it out, their Diner is a good place to visit. I think the coffee is just a bit fresher here, but it's pretty good there too.
Speaking of joe, tonight just brought dark roast from the House of Maxwell, figured I'd be finishing it tomorrow so I went with a good sturdy brew.Used to drink Folgers until they came out with the plastic cans and said it kept it fresher, the first one I had the lid was so loose you could smell the coffee before you woke up!
I guess spin isn't only for pollitics.
See you all after the concert!

[Anonymous]

heres a partial picture this one snuck up on me though

hopefully next time it will be better

[Anonymous]

today for the first time in my life im going on an excursion to actively railfan as you would call it well its not really an excursion the mainlines just outside my house so ill sit on the deck and wait for one to come along i will have pictures so soooon

[Noah Hofrichter]

Okay, now that makes me mad. I can pass the fourth grade!! I know i did it once, at least I think I did, I'll have to go check the records.........[:D]

I finally triumphed today. I got the track back to it's former condidtion, but that's the ''working but not'' stage. Really the track needs to be relayed. I figure what I'll do is draw up a new track plan for a freelanced ''new" branch of the Wisconsin and southern railroad. I might extend rail service past Reedsburg, like it was never torn up by the CNW, but we'll see.

Noah

[Anonymous]

For a little "fun" try this. It might not be too fun for some. I graduated 3 rd grage but it was a "few" years ago. [;)] [;)] Now let's see, where does "Charleston" go? [;)] [:D]

Have fun. [:)]

http://www.funforwards.com/funpages/view.cfm/4716

[fec153]

Did anyone watch while they moved steamer 2903 thru the streets of Chicago
using sectional track?

[philnrunt]

Noah- I agree, seems like everyones gone to the moon. Summertime, other things goin' on, but it will pick up.
Tom- was worried the critters got 'cha. Glad to hear it was only a temporary absence. And I knew you would all be harshin' my Buffet buzz, but it was a price I was willing to pay. It sure is a dirty job, but I'll step up to the plate and take the bullet for the team. Or something like that, cliches can get sooo confusing.
Ended up NOT working the fireworks the 3rd, it poured rain around launch time, so I spent the evening with friends, the ones that are s-t-i-l-l building a house. They are running about 12 on a 1-10 stress meter. Hope they get in soon, for their sake.
I guess they still set off the fireworks, but I had a good excuse. Sometimes thats all you need. The chief is headed to Alaska Mon, so he did'nt really care either. He's worried more about whether he needs breathing apparatus up there.Sounds like a big fire and lots of smoke.
Drinking Creme Brule' joe tonight, not too bad, but not my French Vanilla either.And listening to tunes from the 'puter- "Really got a hold on me" by the Beatles right now.
If ya'all get a chance, drop a line to all of us here.Miss hearing your wit and wisdom.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tomwatkins
Dougal, How is English's hobby shop? I've mailed ordered from Bowser / Cal Scale a number of times, but never made it that far north to visit the store.

The best hobby shop I've ever been in! I've seen bigger but I like how these guys have a lot of stuff and have pretty good prices, they have quite I few magizines (both prototype and model) and a lot of Bowser, Athearn, and Life Like stuff.

[tomwatkins]

Good Afternoon Everybody,
Sorry I haven't been around the last couple of days, but things got fairly busy. We got the flooring for our daughter's room picked out as well as the tile for the kitchen. I'll get them ordered Tuesday morning. Last night we went to a barbecue and fireworks display. It was super. Good company, great food and wonderful fireworks. The fireworks lasted about an hour and they are constant, one right after another. It rained off and on all day yesterday and agin today, but it cleared off yesterday evening and it was a beautiful night. Can't beat that.

Ed, I'm with you on a couple of points. First, the jealousy thing does raise it's ugly head again. Not only is Phil going to see Jimmy Buffet, but for free! That's great music. When I was traveling for work pretty much all week every week, I always stayed where there was a coffee pot in the room. Not only does it help get going in the morning, but I'd fix a pot of decaf in the evening to unwind with. It was really nice. Fini***he paperwork, get some thing to eat, fix the coffee and call home. It made a really nice way to fini***he day.

Phil, Enjoy the concert ! We're only kidding you a little bit about it. It is really good music. He's one of my favorites. Lots and lots of great songs.

Dougal, How is English's hobby shop? I've mailed ordered from Bowser / Cal Scale a number of times, but never made it that far north to visit the store.

Haven't had any time the last couple of days to work on the railroad. Hopefully I'll get down there tomorrow and keep going on the Graham County RR installation.

Have a great, fun-filled and safe Fourth of July Everybody. All of us who are Yankees, even if we're from the south, need to take a moment to remember what it's about and how blessed we are.

Have Fun,
Tom

[Anonymous]

Hey All [:)]

Jimmy Buffett has a new CD coming out on July 13th. It is now being advertised. [8D] The cover shows him setting on a roof of a house. The new CD is called, "License To Chill". [;)] I just might have to get this one.

[Anonymous]

Noah: It's illegal to shoot off fireworks here in Illinois, but my neighbor does anyway (That wonderful rebellious spirit of rural Illinois![:D]). Later this evening I guess we're going to go to their BB-Q and watch the fireworks. He says that this years fireworks are going to be "his best yet." [:-,]

[Noah Hofrichter]

Not much around here in Wisconsin to report. Raining all morning but stopped about a hour ago and it's now begginging to get sunny. Hope they can still ahve teh fireworks tonight. They definatly will if it doesn't rain anymore.

Everybody must be gone for the weekend, or at least at a place where they don't have internet acsess. Only 4 people have been here since I was yesterday.

Noah

[Anonymous]

Went railfanning and saw

5:03 261 2 C40-9W's in old logo
5:26 35A C40-9W's #9505, 9499, and GP38-2 High Hood 5077
6:30 15T SSW (Cotton Belt)/UP GP60 #1962, CEFX SD40M-2 #3179, SP/UP SD40M-2 #2691
7:08 unknown C40-9W #9208 and SD60M #6772 (still in CR blue)

The SSW and SP were those ugly UP "bandits" but it was nice anyway.

Pics later!

[Anonymous]

Last two days I've seen soem unusual stuff on the CSX lines by my house. Saw the coke express, a mow train and a coal train. The coal train caught me off gaurd as it was the first coal train I have seen on these lines.

Ordered The V&O afton division finale from pentrax today. It was on sale for 20 and I couldn't pass it up. Also found out the MRC is making a new DCC system. I checked their website and for under a hundred buck mores you get an LCD screen plus upgraded functions. Very nice if I ever decided to upgrade to sound equiped decoders. Hopefully my LHS hasn't ordered my prodigy yet and I can wait till the august release to get the new system. Now I can use the money that I was buying the prodigy with and finish my benchwork, yard and buy some cars. Then when I get paid my $250 for working the sound at the battle of the Bands at the fair I can order the new system. I love this hobby!
Andrew