The little details by far take the longest.
Because I'm a people person...
Look familiar ?
A unique and beautiful engine, in many variations
In honor of the 1688:
Penny Trains Lookin good! What's the story on the little boxcab?
Lookin good!
What's the story on the little boxcab?
Duetsches Bundesbahn boxcab.
Next to the famous Swiss crocodile, from Saint Gotthard pass .
The narrow gauge Rhatische Bahn had baby crocodiles, and I believe LGB used to make a model.
If one turns up at a train show...
Looks to me like it's German, Austrian, or Swiss. I enlarged the photo as far as I could and it's got European bumpers.
Trains, trains, wonderful trains. The more you get, the more you toot!
The new pedestrian footbridge
and overpass
I don't know the circumstances of that fire, but was a huge loss.
Fortunately John Allen had photographed the layout. He was a pro photographer.
Anyone besides me think there's something, uh, a bit supernatural about John Allen's Gorre and Daphetid going up in flames not long after John shuffled off this mortal coil? Like he put so much of himself into it the G&D just couldn't live without him?
Strange. Makes me wonder.
Other than rotate engines
and play trains
Haven't done a darn thing
on the layout recently
Nope
I really enjoyed reading your story, and the profound experience so many of us have enjoyed in the Gorre and Daphetid.
John was the first, and the one who showed us the way, and what could be possible. The 60's were the age of Snap Track, Tyco trains, Lychen moss, and European structures we tried to Americanize. Then came John Allen...
What is facinating is some of his most famous scenes are very shallow in depth, the illusions are so convincing. The mirror at the end of the street in Port. And this was also the age of locomotive kits. I believe he had some Varney engines in those photos. He was an innovator: there was an article where he had modified a caboose with a ball that would roll forward on down grades to apply the brakes!
He was an original, and he has left a legacy that has set the bar so high,and will always be remembered !
I will love to check in from time to time on your progress!
Enjoyed your page very much, brought back many great memories!!!
Paul
Postwar PaulThis was before I discovered Model Railroader at the newsstand, which ,of course, changed everything.In fact , my subscription started just in time for the January '69 issue of MR, which featured the Gorre and Daphetid, which was a mind blowing experience in itself.
That very same magazine chenged my life and eventually made it possible for me to earn my living as a scale model maker. Please click the link in my signature, I think the story that is similiar to your is all in there somwhere.
https://www.facebook.com/Great-Divide-Lines-423511918192732/?modal=admin_todo_tour
You can see a family resemblance in my steamers (Pennsylvania), where a Flyer engine would fit right in.
I had planned to paint this brass engine a few years back, and had even bought the paint.
But, I procrastinated, and the paint dried out in the jar.
This is one time I'm glad I procrastinated, the engine has taken on a very nice " antique brass " patina.
Things always work out somehow...
Jeez, that last picture gave me a shock!
"WHAT did Paul paint his 2025 gold for? Has he gone nuts?"
Then I saw the 2-rail track. Whoops. Never mind.
Still like to find a Flyer Pennsylvania Steamer to balance out my collection...
New life for the Revell enginehouse, which was $ 1.98 in the late '60's
"... building a stairway to heaven..."
The devil is in the details...
Well, yes, it is fun !!!
I have enjoyed all aspects of this hobby. I was amazed the other day when I realized how many kits I have built over the years. I used to really enjoy building those loco kits. Built 3 Bowsers, 4 Model Die Casting engines, 8 Eastern Car Works P70 coaches, countless building and structure kits from a variety of manufacturers.
But, mostly I like to run trains.
Brought out my 2025, really love that engine. For some reason, the whistle on that engine has a really sweet tone. A pleasure to operate !!
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