Running Bear's March 2024 Coffee Shop
- Thread starter bnsf971
- Start date
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Tom in Missouri
Tom in Missouri
After a little research, which basically involved me contacting the Secret Service, I was told that:
1--they have more important things to do than arrest people for using some coins for other than their intended purpose, and,
2--as long as the glue comes off without destroying the coin, it is not considered defacement.
A novel way to have a 'bullion train'.
Even if those silly Canadians spell Whiskey wrong, they do make good stuff and that is what matters most.
As you know the "crew talk" depends on the status of the locomotive, forward, reverse, speed, stop, bell on bell off, remote input and other factors. It also varies with the locomotive. The Polar Express is unique. I can't recall the sequence. I do think it is in the manual.
You can try cleaning the connection between the locomotive and the tender. Along with cleaning the pickups and wheels, track and checking all connections. A bad connection can reset the sequence.
If all else fails contact Lionel, they have great customer service. If I'm not mistaken your set has a one-year warranty from Lionel.
I will definitely try your suggestions regarding cleaning - although it seems odd to me that something "new" requires cleaning; but then again "things happen."
One of the things I avoid doing is venting dissatisfaction to the point of anger. However I had a recent exchange with Lionel Customer Service that really turned me off. It had to do my Lionel LionChief Polar Express freight set that had some missing items. After contacting Amazon about this they referred me to Lionel - the manufacturer. I totally "got it" regarding the fact that Amazon is the "middle man" in a sale like this.
I knew - absolutely knew - this was going to wind up with me on the proverbial short-end-of-the-stick. Lionel, as anticipated, referred back to Amazon and the circular "dance" began. I sent the entire set back to Amazon, received a replacement set - and as has recently been mentioned around here: And Bob's your Uncle. So much for "service" at Lionel; for me that is.
Regarding the one-year Warranty; you are correct. Problem is getting past the fact that it was not purchased directly from Lionel.l Oh well.
Thanx again!
Tom in Missouri
As for spell check - I "get it" with spell check on computers; am most literate with all of that having both WIN11 and Safari on my Dell and iMac computers. I have a hard time believing that my computer spell check can or does interact with my being on the internet - perhaps it does; but if so - news to me. Anyway, this too shall pass and I appreciate your taking the time for me on this!
Tom in Missouri
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)
- Status
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
Second best way to begin a new day - terrific scenes!
Tom in Missouri
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
Back in 1960 my ship (homeport: Kodiak, Alaska) made that trip down to Seattle, WA thru the Inside Passage (and return). Perhaps the most picturesque trip aboard ship - ever. Do it!
Tom in Missouri
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
Ahoy Gents sand Ladies (of course!),
Wow! You are quick this morning - appreciate the hot mugga Joe; please add one of those jelly do-nuts - minus the calories.
Got up to 68 yesterday and awoke to 34 this morning to a bleak beginning to this Saturday. Temps are going to remain cooler as opposed to warmer - but it is cozy within my Haus.
A bit disappointed with my Lionel LionChief Polar Express passenger set. Seems the "voices" aspect for annoucements do not run thru the entire program; some get "stuck" along the way. And of course, the "return window" expired a week ago for Amazon. That sets-up the process of either returning the loco & tender for repair to Lionel or . . . Not much one can do with that sorta thing - the loco & tender connection looks to be nothing more than pieces of plastic and from what I have been reading - ain't something to be corrected by the operator. Oh well.
Other than that, the day began early for me - weekly wash is "in" and I have absolutely nothing on my schedule today aside from watching an afternoon hockey game on the telly - my Blues have struggled since winning it all back in 2019 but at least they are in the hunt for a wildcard slot.
That's "it" for me - hope one 'n all have a good day!
Tom in Missouri
Wow! You are quick this morning - appreciate the hot mugga Joe; please add one of those jelly do-nuts - minus the calories.
Got up to 68 yesterday and awoke to 34 this morning to a bleak beginning to this Saturday. Temps are going to remain cooler as opposed to warmer - but it is cozy within my Haus.
A bit disappointed with my Lionel LionChief Polar Express passenger set. Seems the "voices" aspect for annoucements do not run thru the entire program; some get "stuck" along the way. And of course, the "return window" expired a week ago for Amazon. That sets-up the process of either returning the loco & tender for repair to Lionel or . . . Not much one can do with that sorta thing - the loco & tender connection looks to be nothing more than pieces of plastic and from what I have been reading - ain't something to be corrected by the operator. Oh well.
Other than that, the day began early for me - weekly wash is "in" and I have absolutely nothing on my schedule today aside from watching an afternoon hockey game on the telly - my Blues have struggled since winning it all back in 2019 but at least they are in the hunt for a wildcard slot.
That's "it" for me - hope one 'n all have a good day!
Tom in Missouri
migalyto
Well-Known Member
Sounds like a perfect excuse to play with trains all day!
Sirfoldalot
Days Gone Bye!
Good Morning - 53 and dark ... only supposed to get to 59 today after 75 yesterday.
Forecast calls for possible rain showers?
Forecast calls for possible rain showers?
TLOC
Well-Known Member
Good morning from a rather brisk morning in So. Central Wisconsin. Currently 19f degrees but feels like 12 and about 3 to 5” of white stuff still on the ground. High 30’s this afternoon.
The grandkids and parents are coming to pick us up around noon to go eat at the #1 ranked chicken wing place in the state. Chicken Licks in Sun Prairie. They have eaten there and the SIL says it’s the best fried chicken he’s ever had let alone the wings. I sent the rankings story the other day to them and since we’ve never been they said let’s go. It’s a rare no hockey or soccer weekend for them. The kids were off due to the weather yesterday and next week is Spring break for the schools in our district.
The #2 ranked Badger Women hockey team won their semi-final game yesterday and ESPN+ needs to start hiring impartial announcers. The East Coast bias is so prevalent in their broadcasting it’s almost comical. We also watched the Ohio State game prior to the Badgers and you’d never would of known until late in the 3rd period that OSU is the #1 ranked team in the NCAA but #4 Clarkson who they played were a great great team. In the Badger game what mostly was heard was how tough a schedule #3 Colgate had. Tomorrow we will watch the Championship game with the sound muted but stream the radio broadcast of the Badger announcing Crew. The watch party was fun and we had 31 show up for most of the hockey game and 14 more for the basketball game. Badgers #5 were destroyed by a #12 James Madison team. I have my opinions about the Badger coach but it’s unfairly based on what I read. Yesterday was the first game I watched at least 1/2 the game this season.
Other than lunch out I’m not sure what else will occur today. Neither the Post Office or UPS tracking shows anything arriving today.
Conspiracy theory for the day…
Baseball is covering up the gambling of its highest paid star by blaming the interpreter. CONVENIENT!
Will I be arrested? I’m using coins for added weight!
TomO
The grandkids and parents are coming to pick us up around noon to go eat at the #1 ranked chicken wing place in the state. Chicken Licks in Sun Prairie. They have eaten there and the SIL says it’s the best fried chicken he’s ever had let alone the wings. I sent the rankings story the other day to them and since we’ve never been they said let’s go. It’s a rare no hockey or soccer weekend for them. The kids were off due to the weather yesterday and next week is Spring break for the schools in our district.
The #2 ranked Badger Women hockey team won their semi-final game yesterday and ESPN+ needs to start hiring impartial announcers. The East Coast bias is so prevalent in their broadcasting it’s almost comical. We also watched the Ohio State game prior to the Badgers and you’d never would of known until late in the 3rd period that OSU is the #1 ranked team in the NCAA but #4 Clarkson who they played were a great great team. In the Badger game what mostly was heard was how tough a schedule #3 Colgate had. Tomorrow we will watch the Championship game with the sound muted but stream the radio broadcast of the Badger announcing Crew. The watch party was fun and we had 31 show up for most of the hockey game and 14 more for the basketball game. Badgers #5 were destroyed by a #12 James Madison team. I have my opinions about the Badger coach but it’s unfairly based on what I read. Yesterday was the first game I watched at least 1/2 the game this season.
Other than lunch out I’m not sure what else will occur today. Neither the Post Office or UPS tracking shows anything arriving today.
Conspiracy theory for the day…
Baseball is covering up the gambling of its highest paid star by blaming the interpreter. CONVENIENT!
Will I be arrested? I’m using coins for added weight!
TomO
Someone on another forum informed me I could be arrested for defacing money, and it was a Federal offense, for gluing pennies inside a boxcar.
After a little research, which basically involved me contacting the Secret Service, I was told that:
1--they have more important things to do than arrest people for using some coins for other than their intended purpose, and,
2--as long as the glue comes off without destroying the coin, it is not considered defacement.
NorthBrit
Well-Known Member
A novel way to have a 'bullion train'.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
That is good stuff and the best way to enjoy it.
Even if those silly Canadians spell Whiskey wrong, they do make good stuff and that is what matters most.
santafewillie
Same Ol' Buzzard
Good Morning All. Clear and 45° here in North Central Texas. Looking at a beautiful Spring day today , high about 67°, very light breeze and no mosquitos, yet! They annoy me but generally don't bite me. Wife on the other hand is a mosquito magnet. No rain yesterday and very little chance of snow anytime soon.
Still trying to get these Roger Miller songs out of my head! I like him just fine, but buffalo herds and kings of the road, merged over into do-whacka-do's.
Interesting event in the neighborhood last night around 9:15. I had already taken out my hearing aids when I heard what sounded like boom, boom, boom; about every two seconds. I went into the living room to see what my wife was watching on the TV, but she was wandering from window to window looking out to see what was going on. It continued as I went outside to look around and listen. Nothing to the south or west, so I walked around to the east side of the house and saw a rapid series of fireworks going off about a mile to the northeast. These were no amateur fireworks either. They were going up about 150', spaced at most 2 seconds apart. And they were actually quite spectacular. They continued for nearly 10 minutes; maybe 300-350 in total. Wife meanwhile had made it to a northeast facing bedroom window and was watching from there. It was actually better than the usual holiday shows that I have seen as there were no pauses at all. I initially thought that someone's fireworks stash had accidentally ignited, but realized that they were all going straight up in a timed sequence. I guess that I am glad to have seen them; on a normal night I probably would have already been in bed.
While on the subject of wife and TV, her March Madness bracket went to hell in the first two days. More than 40% of her picks lost in the first round.
Today will start with the dishwasher that I ran last night, then off to the garden if it's warm enough by then. I did pick some Bibb Lettuce and Spinach leaves for last night's supper, my first harvest of this season. These cool days (in the 60's) coming up will make both grow rapidly. I can freeze excess Spinach, but there is no practical way to keep Lettuce except occupying space in the fridge. This fresh-picked stuff can last up to 3 weeks if stored right, but I'll be getting more over that same time period as the other varieties that I direct-seeded start to bear. I also brought some more [almost] dry firewood inside as it looks like I'll need another fire Monday night lasting through Wednesday morning.
I had a slow but productive day yesterday out in the train shed. I quickly applied the dull coat to the metal roof of the storage shed and then added about another 2 dozen headstones to the graveyard scene. I also repaired an end ladder on a boxcar that I made a note to fix while doing the freight car inspections earlier this year. I did not however, take any pictures - you'll have to trust me!
So it is back to the archives for a few photos today, probably repeats for some of you but there are many newer visitors here.
Sneaking Sally through the back door...
Folks ignoring the street preacher.
Sherrel checking out the scenery.
My BIL, me and my wife checking out my '61 VW Bug at a family gathering.
We were all a lot skinnier back then.
Tom O - Too bad about the operating session, but better safe than sorry. Soup parties must be a Wisconsin thing, I never heard of them before.
That can't be a real UP engine as it's way too clean!
Tom in MO - Spellcheck is in your computer, not on the forum. In Win10, go to Settings→Devices→Typing and scroll for Spelling.
Oh! You posted "thinking"!
Guy - Nice looking vanity, but I don't see the water taps either. Is it serviced with a pitcher?
Mike - The main reason that you aren't getting winter any more, is because you bought that snow blower.
Terry - Glad to read your response from the Secret Service as I have been doing that for 40 years. You are aware however, that since you contacted them to begin with, they have started a file on you.
Everybody have a great Saturday.
Still trying to get these Roger Miller songs out of my head! I like him just fine, but buffalo herds and kings of the road, merged over into do-whacka-do's.
Interesting event in the neighborhood last night around 9:15. I had already taken out my hearing aids when I heard what sounded like boom, boom, boom; about every two seconds. I went into the living room to see what my wife was watching on the TV, but she was wandering from window to window looking out to see what was going on. It continued as I went outside to look around and listen. Nothing to the south or west, so I walked around to the east side of the house and saw a rapid series of fireworks going off about a mile to the northeast. These were no amateur fireworks either. They were going up about 150', spaced at most 2 seconds apart. And they were actually quite spectacular. They continued for nearly 10 minutes; maybe 300-350 in total. Wife meanwhile had made it to a northeast facing bedroom window and was watching from there. It was actually better than the usual holiday shows that I have seen as there were no pauses at all. I initially thought that someone's fireworks stash had accidentally ignited, but realized that they were all going straight up in a timed sequence. I guess that I am glad to have seen them; on a normal night I probably would have already been in bed.
While on the subject of wife and TV, her March Madness bracket went to hell in the first two days. More than 40% of her picks lost in the first round.
Today will start with the dishwasher that I ran last night, then off to the garden if it's warm enough by then. I did pick some Bibb Lettuce and Spinach leaves for last night's supper, my first harvest of this season. These cool days (in the 60's) coming up will make both grow rapidly. I can freeze excess Spinach, but there is no practical way to keep Lettuce except occupying space in the fridge. This fresh-picked stuff can last up to 3 weeks if stored right, but I'll be getting more over that same time period as the other varieties that I direct-seeded start to bear. I also brought some more [almost] dry firewood inside as it looks like I'll need another fire Monday night lasting through Wednesday morning.
I had a slow but productive day yesterday out in the train shed. I quickly applied the dull coat to the metal roof of the storage shed and then added about another 2 dozen headstones to the graveyard scene. I also repaired an end ladder on a boxcar that I made a note to fix while doing the freight car inspections earlier this year. I did not however, take any pictures - you'll have to trust me!
So it is back to the archives for a few photos today, probably repeats for some of you but there are many newer visitors here.
Sneaking Sally through the back door...
Folks ignoring the street preacher.
Sherrel checking out the scenery.
My BIL, me and my wife checking out my '61 VW Bug at a family gathering.
We were all a lot skinnier back then.
Tom O - Too bad about the operating session, but better safe than sorry. Soup parties must be a Wisconsin thing, I never heard of them before.
That can't be a real UP engine as it's way too clean!
Tom in MO - Spellcheck is in your computer, not on the forum. In Win10, go to Settings→Devices→Typing and scroll for Spelling.
I am a firm believer in the "power of positive drinking".
Oh! You posted "thinking"!Guy - Nice looking vanity, but I don't see the water taps either. Is it serviced with a pitcher?
Mike - The main reason that you aren't getting winter any more, is because you bought that snow blower.
Terry - Glad to read your response from the Secret Service as I have been doing that for 40 years. You are aware however, that since you contacted them to begin with, they have started a file on you.
Everybody have a great Saturday.
Bruette
Well-Known Member
I'm sorry to hear about your troubles.
As you know the "crew talk" depends on the status of the locomotive, forward, reverse, speed, stop, bell on bell off, remote input and other factors. It also varies with the locomotive. The Polar Express is unique. I can't recall the sequence. I do think it is in the manual.
You can try cleaning the connection between the locomotive and the tender. Along with cleaning the pickups and wheels, track and checking all connections. A bad connection can reset the sequence.
If all else fails contact Lionel, they have great customer service. If I'm not mistaken your set has a one-year warranty from Lionel.
Last edited:
Secret Service already has a file on me, from some government-approved activities many decades ago. They just added to the existing file.
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
Many thanx for picking up on my troubles with "crew talk" on Polar Express. For what it is worth: the manual is useless with regard to this issue and so many others; "troubleshooting" is troublesome; in my not-so-humble-oh-pin-yun.
I will definitely try your suggestions regarding cleaning - although it seems odd to me that something "new" requires cleaning; but then again "things happen."
One of the things I avoid doing is venting dissatisfaction to the point of anger. However I had a recent exchange with Lionel Customer Service that really turned me off. It had to do my Lionel LionChief Polar Express freight set that had some missing items. After contacting Amazon about this they referred me to Lionel - the manufacturer. I totally "got it" regarding the fact that Amazon is the "middle man" in a sale like this.
I knew - absolutely knew - this was going to wind up with me on the proverbial short-end-of-the-stick. Lionel, as anticipated, referred back to Amazon and the circular "dance" began. I sent the entire set back to Amazon, received a replacement set - and as has recently been mentioned around here: And Bob's your Uncle. So much for "service" at Lionel; for me that is.
Regarding the one-year Warranty; you are correct. Problem is getting past the fact that it was not purchased directly from Lionel.l Oh well.
Thanx again!
Tom in Missouri
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
Luv those scenes - a few similarities to my now-long-gone HO Can-Am-Railway.Good Morning All. Clear and 45° here in North Central Texas. Looking at a beautiful Spring day today , high about 67°, very light breeze and no mosquitos, yet! They annoy me but generally don't bite me. Wife on the other hand is a mosquito magnet. No rain yesterday and very little chance of snow anytime soon.
Still trying to get these Roger Miller songs out of my head! I like him just fine, but buffalo herds and kings of the road, merged over into do-whacka-do's.
Interesting event in the neighborhood last night around 9:15. I had already taken out my hearing aids when I heard what sounded like boom, boom, boom; about every two seconds. I went into the living room to see what my wife was watching on the TV, but she was wandering from window to window looking out to see what was going on. It continued as I went outside to look around and listen. Nothing to the south or west, so I walked around to the east side of the house and saw a rapid series of fireworks going off about a mile to the northeast. These were no amateur fireworks either. They were going up about 150', spaced at most 2 seconds apart. And they were actually quite spectacular. They continued for nearly 10 minutes; maybe 300-350 in total. Wife meanwhile had made it to a northeast facing bedroom window and was watching from there. It was actually better than the usual holiday shows that I have seen as there were no pauses at all. I initially thought that someone's fireworks stash had accidentally ignited, but realized that they were all going straight up in a timed sequence. I guess that I am glad to have seen them; on a normal night I probably would have already been in bed.
While on the subject of wife and TV, her March Madness bracket went to hell in the first two days. More than 40% of her picks lost in the first round.
Today will start with the dishwasher that I ran last night, then off to the garden if it's warm enough by then. I did pick some Bibb Lettuce and Spinach leaves for last night's supper, my first harvest of this season. These cool days (in the 60's) coming up will make both grow rapidly. I can freeze excess Spinach, but there is no practical way to keep Lettuce except occupying space in the fridge. This fresh-picked stuff can last up to 3 weeks if stored right, but I'll be getting more over that same time period as the other varieties that I direct-seeded start to bear. I also brought some more [almost] dry firewood inside as it looks like I'll need another fire Monday night lasting through Wednesday morning.
I had a slow but productive day yesterday out in the train shed. I quickly applied the dull coat to the metal roof of the storage shed and then added about another 2 dozen headstones to the graveyard scene. I also repaired an end ladder on a boxcar that I made a note to fix while doing the freight car inspections earlier this year. I did not however, take any pictures - you'll have to trust me!
So it is back to the archives for a few photos today, probably repeats for some of you but there are many newer visitors here.
Sneaking Sally through the back door...
View attachment 184738
Folks ignoring the street preacher.
View attachment 184739
Sherrel checking out the scenery.
View attachment 184740
My BIL, me and my wife checking out my '61 VW Bug at a family gathering.
View attachment 184741
We were all a lot skinnier back then.
Tom O - Too bad about the operating session, but better safe than sorry. Soup parties must be a Wisconsin thing, I never heard of them before.
That can't be a real UP engine as it's way too clean!
Tom in MO - Spellcheck is in your computer, not on the forum. In Win10, go to Settings→Devices→Typing and scroll for Spelling.
I am a firm believer in the "power of positive drinking".
Guy - Nice looking vanity, but I don't see the water taps either. Is it serviced with a pitcher?
Mike - The main reason that you aren't getting winter any more, is because you bought that snow blower.
Terry - Glad to read your response from the Secret Service as I have been doing that for 40 years. You are aware however, that since you contacted them to begin with, they have started a file on you.
Everybody have a great Saturday.
As for spell check - I "get it" with spell check on computers; am most literate with all of that having both WIN11 and Safari on my Dell and iMac computers. I have a hard time believing that my computer spell check can or does interact with my being on the internet - perhaps it does; but if so - news to me. Anyway, this too shall pass and I appreciate your taking the time for me on this!
Tom in Missouri
siberianmo
Trains - real and model - trains!
- Status
Affiliate Disclosure: We may receive a commision from some of the links and ads shown on this website (Learn More Here)