Trains.com

Just in time for Halloween

5447 views
43 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Saturday, November 3, 2018 8:35 PM

I expect you can find them all oer the country, but I know you can find extra-small packages of candy here--it is possible to get three malted milk balls in one wrapper--and one Snicker (1/2 half of a "fun" package). I have examples of other candies wrapped in what seems to be "half-fun" wrappers. Does anyone know why these small packages are called "fun"?

Johnny

  • Member since
    August 2018
  • 482 posts
Posted by Trinity River Bottoms Boomer on Sunday, November 4, 2018 3:43 PM

Since Kalmbach is a diversified company and publishes several magazines besides the ones that are rail orientated when will the premiere issue of Classic Candy Bars be introduced to it's family tree?

Yum yum, I'm lookin' forward to it already!

Item: Once upon a time there were several commercial products that used railroad names on them.  This included chewing tobacco for example.  Am sure there's more.  Any takers?

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Sunday, November 4, 2018 7:23 PM

Why are those small candy packages called "fun?"  I'll tell you Johnny, it's a lot more marketable than calling them "cheap-ass!"

Now WE, on the other hand, give out full-size candy bars on Halloween.  You should see the kids faces light up!  Not just that, you should see their MOM'S faces light up!  Makes you wonder just how much of those full-size bars the kids are going to get!

Wayne

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Sunday, November 4, 2018 10:06 PM

Not bad Firelock. That would cost me more than 300 bucks up here. I give 5 items each, throw in a pair of Kerrs taffy and 2 Hubba Bubba gum and it's all good. As it is it costs just over a hundred bucks. 

Cheap-as* are those folks who block the walkway to the door with garbage cans and turn out the lights. One of my coordinators and one instructor does does that and is rather proud of it... makes me ill and I lose my respect. Told them straight to their face too, but they don't care.

My last ever venture out there was a buddy and me got all dressed up in drag, a real 'some like it hot' thing. Our moms thought we were priceless. Maybe 12 yrs old, ... now don't analyze. We had fun. Did pirate, soldier multiple times, NHL referee, can't remember them all.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: At the Crossroads of the West
  • 11,013 posts
Posted by Deggesty on Monday, November 5, 2018 10:18 AM

I don't remember any railroad-themed chewing tobacco--was it a regional thing? but I do remember Railroad Mills snuff--I sold quite a bit of that, along with other brands.

Johnny

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Monday, November 5, 2018 10:48 AM

  • Member since
    August 2018
  • 482 posts
Posted by Trinity River Bottoms Boomer on Monday, November 5, 2018 1:47 PM

Chattanooga Chew is a great play on the popular tune during the Big Band era.  I had forgotten about Railroad Mills.

There was a fireman on the Atlantic Coast Line who worked passenger trains out of Tampa in the 60s who smoked Home Run cigarettes.  No doubt a "play" on baseball, much like Lucky Strike must have been. 

Halloween may be over for another year, but what the hay, this is fun.  Isn't this what The World's Greatest Hobby is all about to begin with?

 

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Monday, November 5, 2018 5:20 PM

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Parma Heights Ohio
  • 3,442 posts
Posted by Penny Trains on Monday, November 5, 2018 7:32 PM

Kids are just plain scared to come up our street.  Seven houses.  No streetlights.  Dark woods on one side of the street.  And my neighbor has a pair of wolves in a big cage out back.  Trick-or-treat isn't for the faint of heart on my block!  Laugh

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Monday, November 5, 2018 8:51 PM

There's no street lights on my street either.  Don't people have outside lights for their homes and turn them on?  That's what we do.

On Halloween the whole street's lit up.  The only people with no lights on are the ones who aren't home or have run out of candy, kind of a "Don't bother coming to this one kids!" signal.

One year we were going to be out of town on Halloween, so I set the outside light timer to come on at 9:30.  Trick-or-treating ends at 9:00 where we live.

  • Member since
    September 2013
  • 6,199 posts
Posted by Miningman on Monday, November 5, 2018 9:35 PM

Penny and Firelock --No street lights? Wolves in bird cages? What the? Geez, I live in a sub polar climate, it was -4 and snowing Halloween night and plenty of snow on the ground and I live in a village, not a town. However, we have street lights everywhere (alas no sidewalks) and the Fire Trucks were patrolling all the streets handing out hot chocolate. I'm certain the parents out with the kiddies drank far more hot chocolate than the kids did. Has not stopped snowing since and a huge dumping overnight Sunday/Monday, have 3 feet on the ground now. Cold too -12. 

When people talk about global warming the locals look at then and giggle. Situation normal! 

  • Member since
    June 2002
  • 20,096 posts
Posted by daveklepper on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 8:29 AM

A note on the NYNH&H Mack Railbuses.  I spent a day in one on an NRHS fantrip.  Ir rode OK.  I believe it used PCC B3 trucks and motors.  Definitely not 4-wheel if my memory is correct.

  • Member since
    September 2010
  • From: Parma Heights Ohio
  • 3,442 posts
Posted by Penny Trains on Tuesday, November 6, 2018 7:01 PM

Miningman
No street lights?

The city's revenge for the residents protesting the plan to turn the street into a semi-major thoroughfare.  The other side of the street is part of the greater Cleveland Metroparks system.  Doesn't matter if we turn the lights on or not, we have our own lamp post.  The kids just don't show up.

Trains, trains, wonderful trains.  The more you get, the more you toot!  Big Smile

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • From: Henrico, VA
  • 8,955 posts
Posted by Firelock76 on Wednesday, November 7, 2018 7:56 PM

Kids don't show up?  Well that's a shame.  We have our hot-and-cold years here depending on the local kid demographic, seems like it's always changing, but we've got a good reputation so someone always shows up.

We don't go overboard on the Halloween decorations, just lights, pumpkins, and some "Jolly Roger" flags, no over-the-top stuff that even gives ME the willies, we don't want to scare anyone off.

Now next year I might just break out some of the O gauge stock from the "Chugger Barn" and put together a front lawn "Halloween Train" for everyone's enjoyment!

SUBSCRIBER & MEMBER LOGIN

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

FREE NEWSLETTER SIGNUP

Get the Classic Trains twice-monthly newsletter