Where are you from, and what do you do?
I'm from Hendersonville, NC, and a truck driver.My trains are "on the wall", as yet, and I'm hoping to get a (DC) track up and running soon!
I'm from St. Louis and now I live about 70 mies south of there.
I've been sort of a "jack of all trades and master of none".
I've been a boat mechanic, driving instructor, console operator, newspaper reporter, lawn care foreman, resort housekeeper and houseman, lumberjack, store detective, boat dock builder, manufacturing foreman, mushroom picker, forklift operator, mail clerk, carnival ride assembler and operator, UN cop, infantyman, machinegunner, squad leader, real estate agent, music publisher, job counselor, homeless coordinator, and owned a wood stripping business.
Never could decide what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I retired.
I do have 18 years in the Marine Corps, but most of it is reserves. I now get disability.
I'm from Little Rock where I've lived all my life. Been everywhere except the electric chair and seen everything but the wind. I'll be retiring in 53 days and will start my third major HO layout. After years of false starts and many mistakes, I think I now have the knowledge and confidence to build a great looking pike. Well at least I hope I do. In seeing some of the pictures others have posted on this site....I wonder. :)
8 miles outside boston, school and riding commuter trains.
I too lived in Boston 1950-1953, when "Charlie" was stuck on the MTA.
After choir practice in Copley Sq. I would ride the MTA before I had to arrive home. Saw a lot of stations!
Good Evening All,
I live in the NW subs of Philadelphia, Pa. The town I live in, Hatboro, got its name because many hats used in the Revolutionary War were made here. I have lived in this basic area all my life, save for two years of active duty in the Army from February 69 to February 71.
I have worked for the people that make Tylenol for 32+ years starting as a tablet compression machine op and for the past 20 years as a coater and printer.
I am an avid model railroader with two railroads in the basement, one HO/HOn3 and the newer one, On30, under construction.
I have two children, both college grads and my daughter Kelly is about to make the Mrs and I grandparents for the first time in May.
I'm from Saukville WI....30 miles north of Milwaukee. I'm a produce manager for a grocery store here in town. Was born and raised in a Chicago suburb, with the "Rock" in my back yard! In the '60's remembering riding the "EL" with my Grandma downtown shopping! Moved to a little farm town (Fredonia, WI) in the late '60s with my parents....again(how lucky)with the Milwaukee Road in my backyard!
I model freelanced in HO....have a Bachmann DCC and love it for my small pike...L shaped...about the size of 2 4x8 sheets plywood.
Married....daughter at home....2 sons in Iraq.....1 son in College...1 son a bum! lol
Im Scot in Rochester, NY.
I work in R&D at Eastman Kodak.
I grew up in Sayre PA/Waverly NY (the same place) along the LV and EL mainlines..but sadly I was only 7 years old in 1976, so I missed them both. :(
By the time I started railfanning in 1984 Conrail was firmly entrentched.
But we also had D&H, Guilford and Susquehanna power running the Southern Tier Main in the 1980's! including Alcos! so it was a good time to be trackside.
Today I like to railfan the Livonia, Avon and Lakeville, who runs an amazing collection of working Alcos, doing what they were made to do!
We also have CSX through Rochester. *yawn*
And Rochester & Southern, an interesting Genesee & Wyoming family line, running some antique 1st and 2nd generation EMDs..
I just got married a year ago! ;D
and my wife and I just bought our first house last summer..
with space in the yard for a Garden railroad, and room in the basement for a Maine On2 layout!
I model in 1/29 scale, 29n2 scale, and On2.
Scot
Just to be a bit different - :D
I'm Ron from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia - a State that has only Narrow Gauge (3'6" and 2') railways.
I would think that I am one of the older members on the board at 71. Had to come in from Garden Rail (Live Steam) because of medical problems and am now in the early stages of an On30 layout, made possible by quality products at a reasonable price from Bachmann and a number of small producers.
Well, Ron, I think I'm opposite of you.
Seattle, WA is where I am. I go to school, and do random things.
Chatham, NJ, Centerport, L.I.NY
Doylestown, PA Huntingdon Valley, PA
Hampton NH, Gloucester, MA
Salem, MA, Rockledge, FL
Not really a Model RR’er more of a modeler in general.
I enjoy building things.
Machinist apprentice, Boson’s mate, Surfman, Heavy equipment operator,
Photographer, Studio photographer, Professional model ship builder.
(hey, somebody had to do it!)
Cheers,
Rich R
Gardenrail:
It is the Tasmanian Government railways original 1909 Beyer Peacock Garrett that is now in the NRM at York.
Hmmm, I live in Indiana, Pa (Jimmy Stewart's boyhood home!) I have an indoor gauge 1 mostly Lehmann empire (as if you can call a 5' x 8' loop built on a diningroom table much of anything!) some On30 floating about and a 3-1/2" gauge live steam Stephenson's Rocket taking up space on the entertainment center.
I'm on disability and run a very small part time business supplying kits to model engineers.
I'm from Texas, I go to school.
UP, BNSF and a shortline or two run through my city.
Ewing, New Jersey...Delivery Department Manager in a very large multi-line auto dealership....Love my wife, kids, grandson, and of couse my trains...O and On30... ;D
Hey Bervernie-
Just down the mountain from you in Hickory, NC. Hope you are coming to our trainshow on March 31st this year!!
I model 1:1 (I have an SR caboose and ET&WNC Motorcar #2, as well as some other motorcars). Have some HO, a smattering of N, and waiting to jump into On30 when/if an ET&WNC tenwheeler comes out !!!
Matt
Portland Oregon is home; used to do G guage professionally, am now happily playing with 0n30. Spend my 'day' hours helping folks get familiar with Microsoft's Vista.
Terry
Hi, Terry!
I hope you'll be stopping by at the World's Greatest Hobby show next weekend!
Best,
the Bach-man
Greetings all -
Born in Modesto CA, raised in Sonora (think Shays and Heislers from Pickering Lumber Company as well as Petty Coat Junction from Jamestown) - lived in the Bay area and Brasil briefly before finishing High School, joined the Navy - traveled the world; visited or lived in about a third of the countries the world has to offer, including tours in the Pacific and over 5 years in Spain. I learned a couple of foreign languages along the way. Spent 10 years in Hawaii and now live (permanently, perhaps) in Maryland - Government employee. I collect, play with and am starting to model trains. Collect in two scales (O, HO), play in three (O, HO and N), model in two (HO, N). With a 5 and 6-year old, we also have quite a bit of HO Thomas running on our various tracks.
Regards,
Cary
G'day All,
Forums are such a great idea to share & discuss common interests, but more than that, it gives us a chance to know each other, when there's no chance to actually meet. Currently, I'm debating topics with David & Stewart & having a great time - I hope they are too. bevernie, good thread - 10 out of 10 - you deserve the rest of the day off....to stay on the forum of course :)
I'm Mark, recently made reduntant after far to many years, on the Government railways in New South Wales, Australia.
My interests are in machining, woodwork, I.T. electronics, world politics & events, Psychology & motivation, and a host of seasonal sports.
As Stewart & David will surely testify :), I really love model railroading to a fault.
I recently pulled down my old HO/00 layout & now intend to start another. I model N, HO/00, ON30, G narrow & standard.
I've learnt so much from others experiences, & thank Bachmann for providing this forum & all the participants for their contributions. It's always been a pleasure being part of it.
I currently live in Hampton, Virginia, but grew up as an army brat in Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas (three cities), Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Japan (two places), Massachusettes, and Virginia (two major places), where I also went to military school and college. In Milwaukee the Road built a spur just for me <g> and we lived close to tracks in several of the places I've lived. I'm a retired English teacher and also spent 27 years in th army - active, Guard, reserve. I'm a photographer and author with two published books. I've been married since 1969 with two adult children, four grandkids and a boxer named Sioux. I'm currently building a 26x17 foot HO layout in a two car garage designed by Sheldon who also designed the layout. Sheldon, btw, comes highly recommended.
Gene
Mark (The Damien),
I wish to echo your sentiments.
NSW has several cities. Are you in a population, or out on your own to share your interests?
The internet has brought the greatest of all social interactions. Often the elderly are trapped in lonleyness to live out their days. Retirement has been revitalised by the contact now available through the internet.
SO, DON'T MEET ANY STRANGE SHIELAS ON THE INTERNET !!!!!!!!!!!!!
A 'homegrown' midwesterner ... garden variety. Iowa. That pretty much says it all :-)
A 'war baby' ... WWII that is :-)
Lot's of railroads going every direction in Iowa, everywhere ... small towns and bigger ones ... they all pretty much had at least one rail line. Highways in Iowa up through the 40s and 50s were notoriously narrow, curves, hills, not good ... and the majority of roads probably were, country gravel ... so rail was the obvious choice of travel ... until highway improvement started <sigh>
I live in the Des Moines area ... Now hosting the Iowa Interstate (old Rock Island mainline to Chicago), UP (former CNW, CGW, RI and several others, now all UP), BNSF ('mainline' branch to mainline from Chicago to Omaha and points west), NW (old Wabash and, or others, to St. Louis ... still a very well maintained line, but not a 'heavy duty' mainline). Lot's of grain elevators and unit grain trains (most for corn and soybeans), as well as unit coal trains.
Grew up 70 miles north in Iowa Falls where the ICRR mainline from Souix City/Fort Dodge to Chicago and the mainline Rock Island from Minneapolis to Kansas city crossed. Passenger trains from both RRs stopped several times daily, until the demise of passenger trains :-(
Whole population of state of Iowa (little over 2 million) would not make a very big suburb of LA, Chicago, NY City, etc ... :-)
Nice and quiet around here ... most of the time :-)
lanny nicolet
A hearty G'Day to you Stewart,
I live in Sydney but grew up in so many places. My dear Father would never let the grass grow under his feet. Although based in Sydney, we spend little time here on the weekends & holidays. I grew up meeting people from all walks of life, cultures & humours & learnt so much from them & still do.
"DON'T MEET ANY STRANGE SHIELAS ON THE INTERNET !!!!!!!!!!!!!"
That's precisely what my wife tells me I'm doing now - she said "all that train stuff is just code I use to talk to my girlfriends". She has a good sense of humour. So listen here Ladies, I'm off to run some trains - see you soon. :) ;)
Hi, ya'll, and GREETINGS!! from NC!THANX!! for the "DAY OFF"! Few of you know, though, that for the past week, I've been at home IN BED, mostly, with the flu! I called my boss yesterday, and told him to go ahead and schedule me for my usual trip to Western Kentucky, Sunday, because I can't afford to be sick anymore! I'm very glad that you are enjoying this thread that was started with the intent of bringing us a bit closer together, and even with the thought of perhaps finding someone just around the corner with whom we might find a real friendship. About seven years ago, I left Alabama to get married and move to NC. Since then, I've not really found anyone who really shares an interest in trains. I thought I had when a little shop opened in a local flea market, but they soon went out of business, so I'm right back where I started! Even if I don't find anyone close by, though, it's good to know that we have FRIENDS!!
Born and lived in N.J. until age 18,had a Lionel O-27 layout, then lived in N.H for the next 46 years,had several HO layouts in various homes,now live in San Diego,and have an indoor "N" scale layout,and am starting a large scale layout on my patio area. My grandfather was a locomotive engineer for the CNJ and LV,and gave me my first electric train when I was just 7 months old.
David
Seasaltchap said :
It is the Tasmanian Government railways original 1909 Beyer Peacock Garrett that is now in the NRM at York.
No, it is now alive and well and has just started steaming again on the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway. Actually, what remains is an amalgamation of bits from the original K1 and K2 locos plus all the bits needed in the restoration.
Hi, I now live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and have for the past 10 years. Spend most of my life in Toronto, Ontario with a short stint in Sterling Heights, Michigan. I've been interested in trains as long as I can remember, and fortunately recall seeing Canadian steam in action in Toronto in the '50's. There was also streetcars in town and a subway system. I started model railroading in OO with a trainset, but switched to HO as there was much more available product. Stopped during my later teenage years for motorcycles, cars and girls, then got the bug again in my 20's. I've worked for CPR for almost 38 years, have 2 sons, 1 daughter, one grandson, and 2 ex wives (one at a time). I've built several layouts, planned more, collected brass and now have a good collection of Spectrum & P2K equipment. I'm planning a new layout in a 12 X 22 ft area. This one will be between 1900 - 1920. I love the small loco's that Bachmann has provided and appreciate the availability of the website that has been created.
HowDEE Yall!
I'm a transplanted Chicago Bears fan now living in Nashville, TN.
Home of the Grand Ole Opry & the Music City Star.
THe MCS is our new commuter passenger train that goes east from Nashville to Lebanon & back on weekdays. It uses the tracks of the old Tennessee Central. Everything else is CSX, from L&N days.
I work for Cat Financial. We help the dealers sell Cat equipment. Helps to keep a roof over my N scale equipment. My first set was an Aurora Postage Stamp Trains set.
Born and raised in Massachusetts near Boston. Saw plenty of B&M steam, 1st generation deisels and of course, the Flying Yankee growing up. Moved to Rochester, NY, yellow box country. (kodak) Did bindery work for 26 years here until I retired because of a stroke in 1998. I have an interest in HO scale and help my brother with his HO scale layout in Farmington ;D
C'mon, guys!! A lot more have looked at this thread than have replied to it, so tell us a little about yourself! To be a family, we at least ought to know each other!! What if I surprised you with a gift in "o" scale, only to learn that you are doing "n"?? What if I got the scale right, but sent it to Vancouver, VT, and , when it was returned, found out it should have been Vancouver, WA!!
I was born and raised in Wisconsin. First few years spent in west central Wis. along Mississippi River and Northern Pacific line, literally 70 feet from tracks and 100 feet from River.
Folks moved to south east Wis. and eventually settled in Sturtevant.
I'm still here 40 years later. I watched Millwaukee road and always made the trip into town 6-8 miles to see Baraboo Circus Train. from 1988-2002
it was easy, just look out the window or back door of work. the train and that business are both gone. I still see or hear 40+ trains a day Amtrak,
CP, UP, less than 1/2 mile either direction to tracks, and an Industrial siding just 100 yds. from my home.
I've been married for almost 28 yrs. one Son & one Daughter and
2 Granddaughters age 2+ and 8 Mos. I also enjoy train shows, camping,
hunting, fishing, canoeing, hiking ,biking (peddle type). I am a Boy Scout leader and a Hunter safety Instructor.
Hmmmm.....always did find it difficult. I was born and reared in West Virginia. My home has always been there. Been around B & O, C & O, And western Maryland railroads but only just to see them passing by! Got into the model railroading hobby just last Spring and have been going at it ever since. I was brought up around firearms (Grandfather was a gunsmith) and love and have done just about any and all outdoor activities you can come up with. I'm a career law enforcement officer(should retire in seven years or so; need to now! lol) I have served and continueing to serve in the military as a reservist. Six years active duty! I have four children, seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren, so far! I have lived for short periods of time in just about every place in the world. I've never been to Australia, yet! I have served with some Aussies and have a lot of respect for them. I would love to visit there for a while. And it is sad to say I have never been to Canada! Although the Toronto Police Motorcycle demonstration team comes to Elkins WV every year, and I get to interact with them a good bit. Enjoy it thoroughly. I guess that's the short version anyway. Stephen
Well, I wasn't going to respond, but saw so many Wisconsinites.
Born in Racine, Wisc., 17 schools all over the country before High School.
Army in Germany, married in WI, Dodge City, Kansas; Chicago, Il, Fridley, Minn: Dallas Tx for 20 years, Las Vegas, NV, 10 years, Phoenix AZ for three years. Married and widowed twice. 35 years designing computer systems and conversion from manual to computer mainframes.
Created Barry's Big Trains specializing in repowering Bachmann Big Haulers, both as 4-6-0 and 2-8-0s. Have also done trolley conversions, many customs, Porters and soon to repower and regear the Bachmann Connie. Started in a Hobby shop in Carrollton, TX. in 1992.
Had Lionel as a boy, HO, and N, fell in love with large scale Christmas of '88. Still going strong, really trying to catch up.
And I know Terry Schellenberger, Hi Terry.
Barry - BBT
math teacher from sacramento, california, spending my days nostalgic for the great fallen flags from this area (western pacific, southern pacific, etc.)
i've got two small shelf layouts, one in my office at work ,and one here at home. Someday I may do something bigger, but for now these small layouts give me tons of fun;)
Live in Southern Calif., Near Los Angeles.
Spent most of my life working as a machinist for
North American Aviation-Rockwell International.
And, How many people can say they loved their work.
Three years in the Army. Saw a lot of German Steam.
Grew up not far from Union Pacific tracks, Pacific Electric tracks,
and a little farther west, Southern Pacific.
Lived a little part of my life in the town of Yermo.
Just off the Vegas side of the Union Pacific main line.
Saw some of the U.P.'s biggest steam,
The City of Los Angeles, and some great railroadin.
On trips out of town saw Cab Forwards and Santa Fe steam.
As a kid I could ride my bicycle to the Union Pacific's East Los Angeles yards, could actually ride into the yard and take pictures,
got some shots of the early Turbines.
Also rode to the Santa Fe's Redondo yard,
the Round house was still full of steam.
And a sad thing, saw long lines of S.P. steam waiting for the torch.
Rode the P.E. Big Red Cars, and the L.A.T.L. Yellow cars.
Went to The T Loop several times,
saw the
Royal Hudson Train pass through the Loop.
Saw the 4449 Freedom Train after it left Chatsworth.
As a child had a Marx wind up.
Never had Lionel.
Had an American Flyer set.
Started HO in the fifties.
Got a Märklin set.
Finally, recently started On30,
Working on my desert-mountain-mining empire.
Saw a lot of great Railroadin in my life.
RC Colas and Moonpies.
We ain't too smart,
But we do have a good time.
I'm Stephen, and I live in Billingshurst in Sussex, England.
Yep thats right Billingshurst - I know - no one has heard of it! It is about 20 miles south of Gatwick Airport, so about 50 miles South of London (Where I work).
Currently working for an engineering consultancy group in the rail division. started off in Rolling Stock, now doing P'way.
Spent a lot of time in Cuba driving and photographing the steam there - have also done China was well.
Lived and worked in New Hampshire (USA) for half a year, so have an interest in the railways around New England.
Also been dating a Canadian girl from Ontario, so now have an interest in Canadain steam, past and present (South Simcoe Rialway etc). Saying that I have always had an interest in Canadian Railways seeing as my old man used to work for the shipping side of Canadian Pacific.
I model in O gauge - British 1950's and 60's steam (Somerste and Dorest Railway). But also have started a Cuban Sugar Cane model in On30. I also have a lot of British OO, some Canadian HO (1980s) and also a bit of US HO - mainly Southern Pacific steam (GS-4 etc).
At the weekends I work on the 'real railway' (!) - The Bluebell Railway in Sussex where I am training to become a fireman, then eventually driver.
Going to Poland for a week to drive steam on the mainline in April, which should be a great way to spend a holiday!
When I am not doing anything railway related, I sample many different types of English Ale, and enjoy the great British rain!
All that at the age of 28! Can't wait for the mid-life crisis!
Cheers,
Stephen.
OK!
Southern by birth. Alabamian by the Grace of God! Roll Tide!
Born and raised in Selma, Al. Lived in Mobile 20yrs. Have lived in Hoover (Birmingham) since 1989. Workin' on my final layout, since I'm retired now, thisin' is gonna take a while. My main modeling is directed toward Southern in steam days, but to "get in" some models the SRR didn't have, I also have my own road called the Alabama Central! Plans can be seen at: http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-acrr (http://home.bellsouth.net/p/pwp-acrr) , under the photo albums.
Been modelin', and chasin' trains since I was 5. Started with AF, moved to HO at 8, been there ever since. ;D
Bevernie
Love the area you live in! To me the greatest place in the world, my mecca, if you will, is there at Saluda, NC! I've made many a day trip from B'ham to there and many a overnighter as well! Sure wish the NS would take it out of railbank and reactivate it. It would be good to get back up there and watch the trains fight that grade. Nothing quite like watching three SD's going up the hill in what can only be described as sounding like notch 8, pulling just 10-15 cars, and not moving faster than 10-12 mph the whole time! :o
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Moved here in 1984. My Dad was with the RCMP so we moved every 3 years, lived in every province west of Quebec and for 3 years in the Yukon. Have been from Alaska to Florida on road trips.
I have work for the last 16 years as a automotive tech speciallising in European cars. My second hobby is old VW's of which I've owned 20 including my current rides a 1967 T3 Squareback and a Manx dunebuggy that I slalom race.
I started MRing again 11 years ago. My layout is my 3rd a rural branchline with a logging extension. I LOVE craftsman kits from Sheepscott, Sierra West, FSM, Campbell, JV Models, and Keystone and have several on my layout. My rolling stock represents everything from the early 20's to the end of steam.
brad
ok i was born in st.louis i am 13 year old model rail roader. i am kinda new at this but i am learning. i have a 4x6 layout HO scale. i love trains in general. i spend my time reading about trains i general. toy trains,trains,model trains. i am a union pacific fan. My father works for them. he ran the excursion with the challenger one year. My grand father worked fo unio pacific from (1938-1955) he was born in 1918. he was 20 when he started, His job was to couple the trains, until 1941 when he started running trains. the first train he ran was a f7 an d for a week he ran it then they gave him the number 4001 big boy. he loved that engine. in the 50 he just ran engines and took my dad on trips. until my dad started working in 1954.he was born 1934. he was also twenty. he did switching for all of his years,and now works in the restoration shed. until excursions come around.now me i am going to follow the same path as them. working for union pacific. thats my story
Hi Guys.
I'm Alex from outside of Boston!!!
My name is Matt and I am 15, I will be 16 in less than 3 weeks. I was born in the capitol, Sacramento, CA but now reside 175 miles north, in Redding, CA which my dad is the city manager. I got addicted to train when I was 2 years old and my parents took me to the California State RR Museum in Sacto. My dad built me a small N scale layout when I was 3, but obviously that did not last long. Then I got a Life-Like train set for Christmas one year and had a 4x8 layout in the garage with a small staging yard. Then we moved in 2003 to a much bigger house and bigger yard. I ran and rebuilt my HO layout twice before selling it in April 2006, then all the rest of my stuff (I mean everything!) last Ocotber 2006. I now have only 1 piece of HO rolling stock, which is a Model Railroader 65th Anniversary heavyweight, and a 9" piece of Atlas code 100 straight track. My train hobby now is garden railroading, in my backyard. No offense to indoor modelers, but I love it soooooo much more than HO or any of that. Although I am currently helping my brother build his N scale layout. I am a member of the Shasta Garden Railroad Society and recently really got into detailing and weathering.
CJCrescent,
My brother and sister-in-law live just outside of Bessemer. He worked for one of the steel mills until he retired recently and she works for the Department of Agriculture at the university. We'll be going down to see their new house soon. Maybe we can get together.
Gene
My name is JOnathan Murphy, currently residing in Bucksport, ME.
What used to be a Maine Central Branch line, now owned by guilford rail corp, runs through to the mill at least twice a day, and sometimes a couple of nights a week.
My Dad got me started in model RR when I was 6, and sadly, my first great layout was lost to a house fire when I was 19. After college, marriage, and three childre (one whom is out on his own now) I've built a 20'x20' "shed" in the back yard that will, ultimately hold my HO layout. I have many trains that I have collected over the eyars, but so far, have only been shelf models. My wife tells me if I stop spending money on trains, and start spending money on the shed, I may actually get the layout going, but you know ... something comes along ... once in a lifetime opportunity .... at last count I had 56 powered locomotives, probably a third of them Bachmann.
I am almost 40 now, I expect the layout will be done sometime close to retirement. ;)
SEMO, Southeast Missouri, (Ste. Genevieve to be exact)
Note to Terry Toenges: Been down to 'Tracks Ahead' hobby shop in
Farmington yet ?
??? Well where to begin? Well I am another Stephen or Steve to friends on the Short line I worked to help create back in 1998. The Kosciusko and Southwestern worked on it till 2003 when a bridge collapsed under me while on top of my Fairmont derrick and now enjoying life the best I can on disability and SSI at the old age of 31 :-[
I got into model trains ate age of two. When my aunt bought me a Chattanooga Choo Choo set by Tyco still got the 2-8-9 and 250 ton big hook guess that explains my love for cranes and trains. I have lived in Bentonia, Mississippi all my life within ear shot of the Yazoo District of the Mainline of Mid America the Illinois Central now CN (ICK) Sorry CN lovers but I love my ICRR more than any RR in North America even through the black days of the ICG.
I now model in HO and G 1:20.3 and 1:29 mostly have some Lionel from my youth some N at one time which I sold eyes to bad to see it now days with diabetes and nerve damagedestroying my eye sight and I own 2 Fairmont Motorcars in 1:1 scale and a fairmont derrick. I like everything from the Civil War era to 1990's but model mostly the transistion era from Steam to Diesel in HO it is standard gauge Y&MV and ICRR in Large it is ICRR Southern and a narrow guage logging lines since my grandfather used to run and own two shays in the early 1920s here in Mississippi. Well enough ramblin's.
Stephen
Ken,
I was down there (Tracks Ahead) the week before last with my grandson. Were you one of the guys there?
Where am I from? Born and raised in Maryland, Have allways lived within 30 miles of Baltimore, on one side or the other, except for a brief year in Huntington Station, NY, as a teen.
I am fairly well traveled on the east coast, but have never lived anywhere else. Originally lived south of Baltimore near the state capitol of Annapolis. now live north of Baltimore in Forest Hill, a little village that was once a stop on the Ma & Pa Railroad. The railroad ran right behind our house which was built in 1901.
What do I do? I have been a Hobby Shop Clerk, Electrician, Designer Draftsman, Construction Project Manager, MATCO Tools distributor, just to name a few. Now I am self employed as a Restoration Consultant, Real Estate Home Inspector and Residential Designer.
What do I model? I have been in the hobby since I was 11 (1968) when I was given control of a 9x15 L shaped HO layout my father built. It was the first of several. I was a member of the Severna Park Model Railroad Club for many years (thier layout has been in MR a number of times) and am now a member of a local round robin group.
I now model my own freelanced railroad called the Atlantic Central, set in 1954 it is a large Class I railroad with both steam and diesel. The current layout is being redesigned to be moveable since my wife and I have decided we will be moving in a few years, most likely to the southwestern part of Virginia.
Sheldon
I lived in Placerville, CA until I was 12. I found out after we moved that there was a railroad going through there. Now,the railroad I'm modeling (or at least trying to) is the Camino, Placerville, and Lake Tahoe Railroad.
I currently live in Hunsville, AL and I'm a Juinor in high school- class of '08. My intrest dropped but picked up recently since I got my first car-'97 toyota camry in a dark greenish color. I plan to go into auto / diesel mechenics and possibly locomotive mechenics.
There are 4 different railroads within 20 minutes of my house, but only 1 hobby shop within an hour's drive. My layout keeps changing sizes, depending on how often my little sister tries to "help." Right now, it's a 4x8 table plus a 2x10 shelf, and it all fits in my bedroom somehow.
I'm glad to be back on this forum- I think the last time I was on was around new years. ;D
Welcome to the neighborhood lol I am next door in Mississippi haven't found anyone on line yet into model trains like me except for a few close friends here in state. Welcome back.
Stephen
For Terry Toenges: No, I wasn't there when you were, but I did retire from
the Corps in '89. I was wondering if you might be interested in railroading
in the 'lead belt' area...or if you might want to get together some time and
'jaw jack' at the ge dunk ? I'm in the book.
Quote from: kevin drake on February 26, 2007, 10:23:36 PM
I currently live in Hunsville, AL and I'm a Juinor in high school- class of '08. ..
There are 4 different railroads within 20 minutes of my house, but only 1 hobby shop within an hour's drive.
Kevin;
What shop is an hour away? Where in Huntsville are you located? ???
Quote from: Stephen Warrington on February 26, 2007, 10:49:16 PM
Welcome to the neighborhood lol I am next door in Mississippi haven't found anyone on line yet into model trains like me except for a few close friends here in state. Welcome back.
Stephen
What about me. i am from st.louis.
CJ!! Want to swap places?? well... not quite. I actually call SALEM, AL. "home", but I married someone from NC, so we live here for now. She "teases" me by saying that "someday" we'll retire and go to my place (4 3/4 acres ), but that hasn't happened yet!! LOL There is a set of crossing bars, complete with the lights and everything, in the next town over (Fletcher) that I would dearly love to have, but I couldn't even afford the crain to move them if they were GIVEN to me!! But I "dream" about having them and a CABOOSE set up on my place in ALABAMA!!... and WORKING!! Can you imagine having those bars come down and lights flashing as you come home and park next to that caboose? WOW!!
Ernie
(for now!!) Hendersonville, NC
Quote from: bevernie on February 27, 2007, 06:25:40 PM
CJ!! Want to swap places?? well... not quite. I actually call SALEM, AL. "home", but I married someone from NC, so we live here for now. She "teases" me by saying that "someday" we'll retire and go to my place (4 3/4 acres ), but that hasn't happened yet!! LOL There is a set of crossing bars, complete with the lights and everything, in the next town over (Fletcher) that I would dearly love to have, but I couldn't even afford the crain to move them if they were GIVEN to me!! But I "dream" about having them and a CABOOSE set up on my place in ALABAMA!!... and WORKING!! Can you imagine having those bars come down and lights flashing as you come home and park next to that caboose? WOW!!
Ernie
(for now!!) Hendersonville, NC
You git back down here where you belong and we'll get together!
CJ
Cj,
I believe that's "You git rite back down heah whar you belong..." Or is that the Louisiana comin out in me? ;D
Gene
Quote from: SteamGene on February 28, 2007, 05:29:39 PM
Cj,
I believe that's "You git rite back down heah whar you belong..." Or is that the Louisiana comin out in me? ;D
Gene
Gene;Nah, ain't yo' Louisiana cummin' out, ;D Ah jes' wanted da yankees heah to be able to figger out wut ah say-ed! :P
Ernie;Where's Salem? Been thru most towns in the state and don't recall it. Could you elaborate? ???
Ken,
Sometime, maybe we can get together. I've got a lot on my plate right now as my wife is laid up for a few weeks.
Born at the very beginning of the Baby Boom, I've lived virtually all my life in the suburbs of the Nation's Capital. The first train I remember was a little wooden pull toy loco and a couple of cars. I spent some early summers with my paternal grandparents up in northwest Pennsylvania, where the PRR was still all-steam. That probably sealed the deal for me. After some early Marx and American Flyer toys, I got into serious HO during high school. During a stint in the Navy I tried a little N scale, but after discharge went back to HO for a while. However, the narrow gauge bug was strong, having bit during my first visit to the EBT in 1962. Decided to change to On3, and now have an O/On3 pike under way in the basement. May not get "done" before we retire and move. We'll see.
I have worked as a city planner, now a zoning administrator.
CJ!! You don't know where the big city of SALEM, AL. is?? Actually, there are 3 SALEM communities, but mine is the only one with a real official UNITED STATES POST OFFICE!! One community is up near Huntsville, another is a bit southwest of Montgomery, and mine (THE BIG CITY) is about midway between Phenix City and Opelika,. The "city" is on 431/280, but I'm in the "suburbs", on hwy. 179, about 3 miles north of another big city called "Crawford", on hwy 80! :o We're getting our house refinanced, and the closing is scheduled for next week, so maybe soon I'll be able to go back (after over two years!!) and see what the place looks like!! I'm getting old, so I really can't remember!! Oh, well....
LATER!!
Ernie
Hendersonville, NC
Richard Cormier. Master Electrician 30 years, four to go. (Approx. 40 years in trade).
Born: Boston, Mass. 1945AD.
former Ssgt, SAC (USAF)
Father of two good kids, grandpappy of one.
NY NH&HTD fanatic, especially after coming to Ct after the service, and seeing the " hi-volt cat" over the viaduct 'twixt New Haven and GCT; though that coaling tower at Cedar Hill-still standing-has always impressed the daylights out of me.
Presently the CEO, CFO, chief cook and bottle washer, and gopher extrodinaire of the Portsmouth Terminal and Hoosic Railway.
Probably the only guy with a picture of Karl Donitz between Ike and Gen. Bradley in my office; A reminder that class people can be found everywhere!!
I likes trains, wimmen, and song-in that order!
Quote from: bevernie on March 05, 2007, 10:10:36 PM
CJ!! You don't know where the big city of SALEM, AL. is?? Actually, there are 3 SALEM communities, but mine is the only one with a real official UNITED STATES POST OFFICE!! One community is up near Huntsville, another is a bit southwest of Montgomery, and mine (THE BIG CITY) is about midway between Phenix City and Opelika,. The "city" is on 431/280, but I'm in the "suburbs", on hwy. 179, about 3 miles north of another big city called "Crawford", on hwy 80! :o We're getting our house refinanced, and the closing is scheduled for next week, so maybe soon I'll be able to go back (after over two years!!) and see what the place looks like!! I'm getting old, so I really can't remember!! Oh, well....
LATER!!
Ernie
Hendersonville, NC
Believe it or not, I
do know where Crawford is. My Dad and I, when I was a teenager, worked on the expansion of St. Margrets Hospital in Columbus. Since we couldn't drive from Selma,( the correct spelling of Salem, BTW ;D) everyday, we rented a small house trailer in Crawford! It was the only place we could find "close" ! I worked there until a concrete form collapsed on me and I spent 2 weeks in the hospital there in Columbus with 2` chemical and heat burns from the setting concrete!
Quote from: CJCrescent on March 06, 2007, 11:13:52 PM
Quote from: bevernie on March 05, 2007, 10:10:36 PM
CJ!! You don't know where the big city of SALEM, AL. is?? Actually, there are 3 SALEM communities, but mine is the only one with a real official UNITED STATES POST OFFICE!! One community is up near Huntsville, another is a bit southwest of Montgomery, and mine (THE BIG CITY) is about midway between Phenix City and Opelika,. The "city" is on 431/280, but I'm in the "suburbs", on hwy. 179, about 3 miles north of another big city called "Crawford", on hwy 80! :o We're getting our house refinanced, and the closing is scheduled for next week, so maybe soon I'll be able to go back (after over two years!!) and see what the place looks like!! I'm getting old, so I really can't remember!! Oh, well....
LATER!!
Ernie
Hendersonville, NC
Believe it or not, I do know where Crawford is. My Dad and I, when I was a teenager, worked on the expansion of St. Margrets Hospital in Columbus. Since we couldn't drive from Selma,( the correct spelling of Salem, BTW ;D) everyday, we rented a small house trailer in Crawford! It was the only place we could find "close" ! I worked there until a concrete form collapsed on me and I spent 2 weeks in the hospital there in Columbus with 2` chemical and heat burns from the setting concrete!
OUCH!! I'm sorry!!! "SELMA" is NOT the "correct spelling" of SALEM!!! They are two seperate, different towns! Selma is west of Crawford, while "Salem" is north of same!! Please do not confuse the two. And where is "St. Margrets Hospital"? I'm familiar with "St. Francis" (that's where I had my tonsils removed!!), but not St. Margrets. You were talking about Columbus, GA., weren't you? Well... gotta go to work!! Later, Dude!!
Ernie
Quote from: bevernie on March 07, 2007, 11:20:55 AM
OUCH!! I'm sorry!!! "SELMA" is NOT the "correct spelling" of SALEM!!! They are two seperate, different towns! Selma is west of Crawford, while "Salem" is north of same!! Please do not confuse the two. And where is "St. Margrets Hospital"? I'm familiar with "St. Francis" (that's where I had my tonsils removed!!), but not St. Margrets. You were talking about Columbus, GA., weren't you? Well... gotta go to work!! Later, Dude!!
Ernie
Ernie...ohhh Ernie,
Hey, I'm picking at ya! You see, I was born and raised in SELMA! Thats why I said SELMA was correct spelling for SALEM. ;D No self-respecting town should ever misspell SELMA like SALEM has! :P
It was in 1970 that Dad and I worked in Columbus at the hospital, and I was only on the job for 4 days, (carpenters helper), before the concrete form blew out onto me. (32 cubic yards of quick setting concrete is not only heavy but very very hot!) Got a few very faded scars left as trophies. Dad got me the job as his helper since I had been "helping" him since I was 10, building houses, repairing things etc...I have only been back to Columbus once since and that was for a one day train show four years ago!
When I got those burns, I spent 2 weeks there, but being just 18 at the time, it was just a fog, (thank goodness for MSO4 and all I had ever paid attention to there is/was a statue of a Saint in front, and at the time, no external name. It is/was very similar to the one that was in front of Old St. Margaret's Hospital in Montgomery. I could never remember names of some of the Hospitals, I even worked in as an RN. I was an OR nurse for almost 30yrs before I retired.
You may think this is funny, but I remember the name of the Hospital where I took my training, and spent 10yrs at and the one I retired from after 15yrs, but the other three I spent 1 -2 years at each, I'd have to think what their names are REAL hard! At one I worked at, a private institution, it was said its only advantage was that it was close to a real Hospital that was across the river from it! :o
I'm 15. I'm from Salem, MO, and I do some modeling and railfanning. So far I've started 3 HO layouts, none finished yet. I've photographed BNSF trains on the Thayer and Cuba subs.
go missouri!!!!!! webster
Hello!!
I live in East Hampton New York, and I work in Sag Harbor New York at an ACE hardware. I have a 36' x 24' around the basement freelanced layout(someday I'll be finished, right?). Started out in HO 28 years ago, lost interest and then in 2003 dabbled in O scale. O got very expensive very fast and I made the switch back to HO. I'm not a prototype guy, I love trains and will run anything that I like.
Great thread!!
Amen GeneP, I love 'em all!