Our younger Forum Members

[railfanespee4449]

I'm here. Am typing this at school (computer is down.)
Hope you didn't forget me!!!

[railfanespee4449]

Hi My computer is down. I'm typing from school.
Nice to see we're getting some attention!
PS Trains for kids raised $3000!!!!
My C&O mike (K-line) broke.
Am replacing with K-line K-4 $350!

[Anonymous]

Believe it or Not,

I used to be into the whole "video game thing". But, that lasted for about a year and a half after they began to bore me.

One day, it was raining, and I was not up to playing the Nintendo64 I had, so I dug out my old Wooden Thomas the Tank Egine Trains (About 300 or 400 pieces that had been aquired since I was 1) and I had more fun with them than I had ever had with my video games.

I also dug out some old Lionel Catalogs and my first issue of CTT (March 1999 I believe, I'll have to check. It had a feature on Lionel in the Year of 1950) and read. So, the train bug had again bitten me, but for good this time.

steel rails

[Anonymous]

It's quite awesome to see younger people here at the forums. And the knowledge they share is quite amazing too. At least not everyone is into "Mario" and other type video games lol.

Im not as young as I once was, I'm 28 (will be 29 next month) and am just getting back into the hobby myself after being out of it for a few years. I have a long way to go but its never too late to get back in the train world. I don't have any type of layout setup yet, but at least if I need any help I know what forum to come to. Especially in the scenery area, since I dont know much on making good scenery. Awesome place!

I recently just started a new subscription to the CTT magazine and just gotten my first issue yesterday. Unfortunately there arent any train shows/clubs in my area, but since i travel frequently to OH in the Cleveland area I could always visit Spanky and other OH train members.

[casconi]

I'm not in school anymore... I garaudated in May 2005 from the University of Central Florida in Orlando. I noe live and I am originally from Louisville, KY (another KY boy!) I have nice sized layout with Postwar, MPC, and modern items. I run TMCC and convention and use Fastrack.
Elliot (Big_Boy_4005) has helped me a bunch with my layout - more than he knows! I need to contribute to the forum a bit more often because I find myself reading posts daily! I really enjoy the Sunday photo posts.
I love this hobby and O gauge trains! My dad got me started with a UP 50th annivesary set, a 736 set, and 2343 set, all gifts from my gradfather who passed away when my dad was 10. Three generations!

Chris Casconi

[Demon09]

freshman, 18, attending DePaul University.... probably like 30,000 students or so, i really dont know the figures.... haha

All my engines are conventional, but i havent been serious about this for too long yet...... i got my first set at 7 (seaboard freight, C&O starter set) and just toyed with that around christmas each year..... this year i decided to add some track to the original oval, and as most of you probably know, just a little bit of track turned into a lot of track (with cross-overs and switches) and i was completely hooked..... i started looking at classic toy trains magazine and o gauge rail-roading magazines for ideas and all.......... I picked up a modern diesel and started a modest layout that im still working toward in the realism department........ the christmas village buildings of all different sizes and scales dont make for a convincing city

I have a Chessapeake and Ohio steamer, a Pennsylvania Steamer, and a Western Pacific u36b Diesel..... im looking to get more engines later (maybe expand from lionel and get some more diesels from MTH, k-line, and williams engines too....) but right now im especially working on the realism and scenery aspects for the layout......

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

And I knew about Ben; he continually amazes me with his profundity. I asked the guru about his wisdom once and Ben told me that he hangs around hobby shops, picking up bits of information that he synthesizes and then expounds upon for us in the forum(s). Well, he didn't say it quite like that.

dav

I don't care If Ben does use profanity, I think he a smart guy........Tim

Ignore that I think my fever just spiked.

[tmcc man]

Well, I am also 15....... Well, you all pretty much know who I am so I need say nothing more.

[Anonymous]

Hey,

I am 15. I don't have TMCC, but I think I might look into it after college.

I have a 2055 Postwar Hudson, An Erie 2004 Hudson, and a Restored 2343 Santa Fe F3 A-A.

My next goals are: Postwar 2037, MPC Blue Comet Set. MPC General Set, Some Williams Diesels and Steamers, Postwar 2032, Postwar 2035, Postwar 2065, ............, oh who am I kidding, I want alot of stuff.

steel rails

[railfanespee4449]

I am 12, and go to Kate Mitchell in ames. Well, at least until wednesday. Thursday is the beginning of [:D]SUMMER BREAK[:D][tup]
[:D][:D]

[Munster518]

Hey, 23 years old, was attending a local community college but left to pursue my career in the electrical and plumbing field. Love postwar lionel, but the new stuff ain't bad either.[;)]

Sincerely
John[:)]

[Jumijo]

This is a great time and place to thank Jerry for all the knowledge he's imparted to me. Jerry, you've been quite generous with your information and I do appreciate it.

Good luck with your layout!

Jim

[Anonymous]

Gettin to this kinda late. 23 still in college. History major. My interest lays in prewar of all types, and ives pre- transition era. I inherited my interests with a handed down ives 3252 set, and a flyer presidents set. My mom let me play with the ives 1134 as a kid(makes me cringe.) Well its nice to see other younger collectors are out there, especially ones interested in prewar. Remember, if it wasnt for the Ed Ives, cohen might have never got the idea!

[Anonymous]

I'm not one of the younger school guys on the forum. I am however still in school. I am finishing my fifth year of college. I collect and operate mostly post war, but I do like some of the new simple technology. I like the smoking search light wrecker caboose, and other simple but cool new stuff like that.

Angelo

[Big_Boy_4005]

Sounds great Sask, "little trains on the prarie".[swg]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Wow Sask, you have a James Gang? I sold tons of those sets when I worked in the hobby store in Denver. That was Lionel's first offering with a can motor, and was DC only. It was a cute set, but if I remember correctly, a lot of the engines came back for repairs. DC only was a short lived experiment, and ultimately gave way to electronic E-units.

I just have the engine and tender from it. Generally, I'm just into prewar and postwar, but I do have a few MPC cars that I've picked up here and there on a whim. I bought this engine from a guy who had a table full of Lionel and Marx stuff once at the annual Farm Toy and Collectable Show that's held every year at Yorkton. It was dirt cheap and I liked the looks of it, so I bought it. It usually just gets run on my Christmas tree layout every year with an HO transformer because my layout is all AC.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Wow Sask, you have a James Gang? I sold tons of those sets when I worked in the hobby store in Denver. That was Lionel's first offering with a can motor, and was DC only. It was a cute set, but if I remember correctly, a lot of the engines came back for repairs. DC only was a short lived experiment, and ultimately gave way to electronic E-units.

[Dr. John]

I am very glad to see you younger guys involved in the hobby and in this forum. You contribute a lot! It shows that toy trains is truly for all ages! Thanks for your participation!

[Anonymous]

My engines are all conventional and with the exception of the 4-4-0 from the James Gang set, are all prewar and postwar. I have a lot of clockwork windup trains in my collections, too.

[Anonymous]

Thank you too, Neil.

I own 14 TMCC lcoos, many trolleys and powered unit, and couple conventaionl locomotives.

[ben10ben]

Neil, Thanks.

As far as my roster, I currently have 4 TMCC engines. One is a home-upgraded steam, one a factory-equipped steam, and two factory-equipped diesels.

I have 2 postwar engines, a 675 and a set of Erie Alcos

I have 2 MPC engines, a General and the Coca-Cola collectors set

And, finally, 3 modern conventional engines.

[Anonymous]

Jerry, Sask, Leigh, and Ben,

I'm glad all of you find the CTT forum useful and aren't intimidated by us "older" guys. Jerry, I see in your profile that you live in Wisconsin. If you find yourself in the Waukesha/Brookfield area let us know and we'll give you a tour of our building. (Everyone is always welcome to visit Kalmbach Publishing/CTT and take a tour.)

Sincerely,
Neil Besougloff
editor

[Big_Boy_4005]

I used to love the Athearn blue box kits, and had a bunch back when I was into HO. Glad you stocked up, at least you have some stuff to assemble and run. Thank God for the internet.[swg]

Yes, I know the landscape well, because for 7 years when I lived in Denver, I drove the 1000 miles between here and there many times. I could do it in one 16 hour shot!! Two stops for gas! I wouldn't even think of doing it anymore, at least not alone.

By the way, thanks, but not all of my posts have been worth while, though I try. Keep up the good work, you're almost to 4. The secret is to just talk to people and have fun, and the stars just happen. [swg]

[Anonymous]

Conventional. Much more easy and interactive![:D] (Now that I know block wiring)[;)]

[Anonymous]

Younger members;

What is your rosters? You run TMCC or Conventional?

Thanks..

Chris....

[Anonymous]

Well, Elliot, Yorkton used to have a hobby store, but it closed about 3 years ago. It never had a really great selection of trains and all of it was HO. In the last couple of weeks they were open they had a 50% off sale, but about all they had left in trains by that time was a lot of Athearn blue box caboose kits (which I bought a lot of because they were so cheap) and some high end HO engines that they kept under the counter. They marked the prices up on them when they had the 50% off sale, so no deals there.

The closest hobby store now is in Regina, which is a 2 hour, 15 minute drive from where I am, but my family goes to Regina about once a month. Moose Jaw, which is just a bit farther had a very good train-only hobby store, but it closed a couple of years ago as well. Usually for my train needs I go to my friend John Lumb in Regina who runs Great Plains High Rail from his house. Some of you may be familiar with the rubber ties and track cleaning cars he makes, which have been advertised in CTT.

I know what you mean about the prairies being empty. Living in Saskatchewan, I'm pretty used to the scenery here, but when you get into Alberta, much of what you see is just vast flat fields with no trees and only the occaisional old well. It makes Saskatchewan look exciting.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Gee Sask, it took me a little doing to find Langenburg on the map, but I got it, just over the Manitoba line. So where is the nearest hobby store, Yorkton?

I've got to say, that given the amount of empty space around that region, you are VERY lucky to live next to the school. Just think of all of the time you don't have to spend riding a bus!!!

I have traveled Canada much more than most Amaricans, and have even taken the train from Vancouver to Winnipeg. Pretty country, but rather large and empty in the west. Reminds me of Kansas or eastern Colorado.

[Anonymous]

hey,

I'm 16..... I am Homeschooled ( more train time )[swg]

Anything more to ask, feel free!

[ben10ben]

Buckeye,
I plan on making it to Cincinatti in Motion this summer. I was able to visit Davis about a month ago, and was very, very impressed with the store(I saw everything except for "Joe's Private Layout")

I believe that I have been to that B&B before. It went up for sale a couple of years ago, and my parents went and looked at it(wishful thinking). It was a very, very nice place in a very nice location in Frankfort.