The family and I vacation last week in Door County, WI. A beautiful, relaxing and serene location. Lots of artsy stuff, light houses, beaches, fish boils, harbors, nick knacks, ice cream and lots of fudge. We also found a restaurant that was railroad themed that served your food by model train, which was fun for all (and mostly for me).
What finally caught my eye was a place called the Cupola House in Egg Harbor, WI. Being a railroader at heart - I liked the name - so me and my sweetie went in and had a look around. Many, many collectibles and amongst other things was a very fine assortment of Dept 56 buildings which could be used on a layout.
But what caught my eye was a sign in the basement stair well that read "To the Trains"! YES!!!, I thought to myself. Finally some railroading stuff! I headed down the steps with a heightened anticipation!
Once downstairs I saw some holiday/Christmas decorations and then in the corner ... an O-scale semi-completed layout. I wasn't huge, but it was tubular, 3-railed track mounted on a sound-deadening foam bench. It looped through a tunnel emerging out on the back side of the layout. Now we're talking! ... but wait, where's the train!? There's no train ... and no transformer. What!? Dang.
Somewhat disappointed - I headed back upstairs. I saw an elderly gale at the registered and I asked her where her train was downstairs? Her reply caught me off guard when she said, "It was stolen." Almost a bit teary-eyed, she went on to say it was her husband's train and she would normally have it running downstairs in the basement for her patrons ... and then one day she went down there and it was gone.
Maybe she didn't realize the value of her husband's train or maybe a surveillance camera would have prevented the theft ... but either way, the thief not only took a cherished heirloom of her husbands but also took a small part of my vacation enjoyment.
The whole experience now makes me think of my trains and how I will leave their legacy to my loved ones ... or do I? Hmmm?
One thing about trains: It doesn't matter where they’re going. What matters is deciding to get on.
I'm kinda always wonder what to do with mine as I have no children to leave them to.
And no I don't need any voulteers to accept them.
Life's hard, even harder if your stupid John Wayne
http://rtssite.shutterfly.com/
The only one of mine I was concerned about (like rrtraincollector I don't have any children) was my Lionel 2-6-4 steamer I'd had since I was a boy. I loved that engine and was concerned about keeping it in the family.
Several years back I was visiting my parents for Christmas and brought the engine with a number of cars with me and set up a loop under the Christmas tree. When my sister came over with her family her (then) 12 year old son was absolutely fascinated with it so I showed him how to run it and turned him loose.
"Well," I said to myself, "no time like the present." I asked him if he'd like to have it, and you should have seen his eyes pop!
Problem solved, it's gone to a good home, his mother will see to that, and it's still in the family.
The other stuff I've got, I'm really not concerned with. Maybe I'll sell it off one day, but not yet.
Some people just have no heart. I feel so bad for that lady.
If they show a keen interest, my collection will go to my grandkids.
My heary broke for this lady as well. I could see that she was extremely hurt ... probably more by the simple fact that someone felt the need to take the train. I wish I lived closer to that area. I have an older analog DVR that I could donate and help her set up to monitor the downstairs layout. I felt very sad for her.
rtraincollector I'm kinda always wonder what to do with mine as I have no children to leave them to. And no I don't need any voulteers to accept them.
RT Adopt me!!!
Boy what a bad story. I would be sick about something like that for anyone.
Joined 1-21-2011 TCA 13-68614
Kev, From The North Bluff Above Marseilles IL.
The whole episode's disgusting. Amazing how many people there are who'll steal anything that's not nailed down, and if they "can pry it up then it's not nailed down."
Maybe there's an O gauge club in the area who's members can bring that layout back to life. Hopefully they'll read these words. They can't replace that poor womans husbands trains, but putting some new trains on the layout may help with the hurt.
I remember that place! I was there, let's see... was it almost 18 years ago! They had a short train that ran around the track. My youngsters were thrilled.
Doug Murphy 'We few, we happy few, we band of brothers...' Henry V.
Doug - do recall what type of train it was? I asked her, but she didn't know if it was A diesel or a steam engine. I didn't want to then ask her if it had passenger cars or freight given that I could see it wasn't making her feel all that good thinking about it.
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