Its all beginning to wrap up now, the CPI (Coffee Pot Interchange). This was the “brain child” of Fife, he initiated the idea of getting 12 guys to participate in a scheduled exchange of rolling stock among the participants. Fife in turn developed a schedule to minimize where ever possible the distance between the participants. Then on a monthly basis each person would send the car to the “next” person on the list. While the car was at the various locations, pictures would be taken and posted on the CTT Sunday Photo Fun thread.
The whole thing has been very enjoyable, seeing my car on the various layouts and to think the distance it has traveled. Additionally receiving on a monthly basis a “new” car in the mail to run on my layout. Then just about when I was accustomed to seeing the car around, and looking for the ideal shelf location for it, Off it would go. Can’t beat that! Having the excitement of a “new” piece of equipment, and it not costing anything, other than postage? Really great! THANKS FIFE, for a job well done! And, I also appreciate the involvement from: Bruce Pfeifer, John Fullerton, Brent Leister, Frank Eagles, Rich Mastriano, James Sturgeon, Frank O’hare, Wes Whitmore, Kurt Polak, Doug Murphy, and Jon Englehardt. It was fun guys !
The CPI exchange was; Coast to Coast and included 7 states, for a total of 7016 miles! (Just imagine how rare and valuable that makes these cars on ebay!!)
I thought it would be really cool to have some kinda document that recorded the trip and we came up with a “Way Bill”, which similar to a “Car Card” recorded the specific route that each car would take, and an Arrival/Departure indication, along with the mileage and initials of the participant.
To be sure, there’s a future article brewing. [;)]
It has been a fun project. It was very important to me to get dbaker in the fold, as I wanted a coast-to-coast theme. He jumped aboard with both feet and gave us some of the funniest storylines. Thank you, Don.
The bigggest reward has been the fellowship, hands down.
The car exchange was a lot of fun. I looked forward to seeing a car come each month. It was great seeing your own car on other’s layouts. I appreciated the imagination that the other guys put into using my car, as it was the only S gauge in the lot and would not “fit” their layouts without some imagination. It was also neat to see the guy’s cars. I had not really looked at other scale cars with any more than a passing look before. That was very interesting.
As already stated, the exchange also cemented a bond that developed from interacting on the Pot. My humble gon now proudly has a place of honor on my shelf, and I look at the card with the names of the participant’s and it never ceases to bring a smile to my face.
As one who participated vicariously I want to thank all of you who participated in the exchange. It has been fun to read the stories and see the layouts that each of you have. It has been nice to have a common theme among a number of the threads from the Coffee Pot to Sunday Photo Fun to random posting of photos in other threads. This project has indeed helped to make a bond here, even among those of us who are lurkers.
I hope something like this will be repeated.
Again Thanks to all of you for all of your work to provide entertainment and make this site feel friendly.
Was fun. Got to drag at the end. In fact my car is still not back but not due yet. Thanks to Fifey, this was a good project.
NOW FOR THE BIG NEWS. Mr. Baker was sworn to secrecy. THERE ARE GRITS IN EVERY CAR THAT LEFT ROSEYVILLE. [:-^] [(-D]
The black sticky W/S ribon has been stuck in the interior, frame or trucks [some all] of all the cars that left Roseyville. Imbeded in the black sticky stuff are grits. [:O] You have been “GRITTED”. [yeah]
Mornin’ boys. Mornin’ English. And today’s Mid-Atlantic region weather —> Only thing I picked up yesterday was an MTH dwarf signal (stop it B!). and our own DennisB1’s new paperback - REALISTIC MODELING FOR TOY TRAINS, which Dennis signed for me. Had a nice long chat with him, and really hit it off. Spent even more time chattin’ it up with Carl Swanson, mostly about some up coming article materials…
Check out the CTT photo on the YORK thread. MartyE gets credit for posting same, and he was the only one who brought a camera. But MISTER Tony Lash was our photographer…howzabout dat? Missing was DMUinCT, whom I later saw at his table. He didn’t think we were crazy enuff to take a photo in the rain. It was great seeing Roy, Buckeye, Wes, Marty, Mitchie and John (who was being a trooper—really under the weather). It seems that I look as forward to the fellowship at YORK, as I do the treasure hunt (even more so on second thought). Buckeye even gave us all delicious OHIO ST buckeye candies (which are more tasty than…)
This just in
DATELINE - YORK, PA
It was reported to a local police officer yesterday that a beige colored boxcar with black roof, having reporting marks of “NC”, has apparently gone missing between Yp
Even though I did not participate in the train car exchange, I have truly enjoyed looking at all the postings and pictures, that you guys have made. I bet you guys are thankful that all the cars have returned to their owners safely. You never know what USPS, FEDEX, or UPS will do to a beloved train car.
Chuck, I’m not really concerned about the shipping damage, (as we all know MPC “Hi-Cube” cars were manufactured with shock absorption characteristics in mind, via the loose fitting parts.) I’m concerned about the GRITS, that stuff will probably be worse than caustic acid !
As a observer of the exchange, it was fun to follow along. I would have desired to participate, but know that I would not have been able to be consistent with passing the cars along. Still, thanks to all that did take part in this. It would be fun to follow along with another exchange, but I am sure it was quite a task in getting the thing up and running.
Thanks Fife for putting this together! Had a great time!
The best part was the look on my Bride’s face, each month, when each new car arrived, with hands on hips, asking, “what did you buy now”, and the somewhat confused look when I told her I didn’t buy anything.
Good thing we hose down all the MoW cars when they return to home rails after being ‘loaned out’ - this has been an entertaining year - and it was fun to trace the cars travels across the country on a plastic USA map place-mat with my youngest. My car arrived with a bag of special anti-grits protection that was kindly added to it. I too enjoyed the excuse each month of getting a box in the mail and seeing all the different cars. Don, your story -boarding was some of the most entertaining things I’ve ever experienced in the hobby. You sure had some wonderful Thomas stuff
Looks like our conductor friend has fully recovered from his “near death” experience. Shake-and Bake’s car is being set out for a special run across country.
Heading west out of Cumberland and into the Narrows.
Arriving at Meyersdale in time for a little over-under action.
A quick loop around Helmstetters Curve. Check out my new cabin.
And finally, over Flagherty Creek and the Keystone Viaduct.
