Was Santa good to everyone?

[laz 57]

Since folks are listing non-train stuff too, I also got The Avengers: The Complete Emma Peel Megaset dvd set, which is awesome (17 dvd's in thin cases)!  Also, the top 10 South Park dvd that includes the original short.

AH EMMA PEEL, shaawing!

laz57

[Brutus]

Since folks are listing non-train stuff too, I also got The Avengers: The Complete Emma Peel Megaset dvd set, which is awesome (17 dvd's in thin cases)!  Also, the top 10 South Park dvd that includes the original short.

[Anonymous]

You Bet

 

I'm jealous Bob!  I was hoping to find two sets of those under my tree!

[zwbob]

You Bet

 

[laz 57]

LUMP O COAL,AGAIN?

laz57

[klahm]

No trains this year, but instead a brand new house, with "clean sheet" basement into which I can insert existing trains ... after the inevitable months of fit-out and spousal pacification!  Hopefully, latter will not require liquidation of any significant part of my train inventory!

[Cheese]

I got the last bit of money I needed to buy my beloved 2343's from my local LHS. Right now they are being worked on. Some things needed replacing and the battery housing and frame had battery damage on it.

I guess they saying "Good things come to those who wait" is true. It'll be a month or 2 before I can really enjoy owning them. But I tell you, that was the best $300 I ever have and will spend in the world of trains.

Cheese

[mitchelr]

MITCH - CSX has kept its stranglehold on the Hanover sub over the past 2 decades.  Maryland Midland has always been interested in getting into Baltimore, but CSX wants to avoid a competitor CLASS 1 from possibly taking over the short line.  A classic example of a company not wanting to do something in an area, but not wanting some other company coming in and turning a profit.  Maryland Midland would probably due a good job, with it's people/business friendly attitude, but the pencil-pushers down in Jacksonville simply aren't going to allow this...for the time being that is...

88 - I realize now you are new to the area, but please tell me you've manged to discover Catoctin Mountain Hobbies...?

fife, Not yet!  I've heard of them, just haven't ventured that way yet... of course I haven't been to the B&O Museum or MB Kliens either... been busy the last year planning the wedding (June '06), then my mother-in-law unexpectantly being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in September and then passing away in late October.  Now that the holidays are over we have the NFL playoffs (wife is a Raven's PSL Owner... I'm a Steelers fan :) ).  So hopefully in February things will slow down a bit and we can take some of our 1 day trips... Catoctin Mt Hobbies will become part of the Sabillasville trip!

88 - While you are in the area of Catoctin Mountain Hobbies you are not too far from Mainline Hobbies on Blue Rdige Summit.  OFF oof US HWY 15, take MD 140 through Emmitsburg, MD and follow into PA toward Fairfield (Ski Liberty).  It is a short ride up into the Cactoctin Mountains toward Waynesboro, PA where you will find the little burg of Blue Ridge Summit.  Mainline Hobbies is quite a nice hobby shop stocked with all scales and gauges.  Their address is 15066 Buchanan Trail East, Blue Rdige Summit, PA, , phone [phone].

You are not far from Gettysburg either when you are in that area. 

In Gettysburg, Carver's Toyland is quite a nice place to visit (hours are not too great - closed Sundays).   You could call for their hours.  Carver's is on PA Hwy 30 southwest of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, (305 Buford Ave Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-6937). A small blue locomotive sits out front, Carver's has a most incredible collection of prewar, postwar, and modern toy trains: Marx, Lionel, AF, K-Line, etc. (but not cheap$$$)

 

Mitch 

 

 

[fifedog]

88 - Wow, talk about your peaks and valleys! When you finally decide to give yourself a little "ME" time, head on out to Thurmont.  Also, there is a little restaurant near the railroad underpass (it may be called the Creekside Restaurant?), not much on the outside, but good food inside.

[Anonymous]

MITCH - CSX has kept its stranglehold on the Hanover sub over the past 2 decades.  Maryland Midland has always been interested in getting into Baltimore, but CSX wants to avoid a competitor CLASS 1 from possibly taking over the short line.  A classic example of a company not wanting to do something in an area, but not wanting some other company coming in and turning a profit.  Maryland Midland would probably due a good job, with it's people/business friendly attitude, but the pencil-pushers down in Jacksonville simply aren't going to allow this...for the time being that is...

88 - I realize now you are new to the area, but please tell me you've manged to discover Catoctin Mountain Hobbies...?

fife, Not yet!  I've heard of them, just haven't ventured that way yet... of course I haven't been to the B&O Museum or MB Kliens either... been busy the last year planning the wedding (June '06), then my mother-in-law unexpectantly being diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in September and then passing away in late October.  Now that the holidays are over we have the NFL playoffs (wife is a Raven's PSL Owner... I'm a Steelers fan :) ).  So hopefully in February things will slow down a bit and we can take some of our 1 day trips... Catoctin Mt Hobbies will become part of the Sabillasville trip!

[fifedog]

MITCH - CSX has kept its stranglehold on the Hanover sub over the past 2 decades.  Maryland Midland has always been interested in getting into Baltimore, but CSX wants to avoid a competitor CLASS 1 from possibly taking over the short line.  A classic example of a company not wanting to do something in an area, but not wanting some other company coming in and turning a profit.  Maryland Midland would probably due a good job, with it's people/business friendly attitude, but the pencil-pushers down in Jacksonville simply aren't going to allow this...for the time being that is...

88 - I realize now you are new to the area, but please tell me you've manged to discover Catoctin Mountain Hobbies...?

[Anonymous]

Hey 88, have you ventured to Sabilasville to check out the Maryland Midland's horseshoe curve? That line from Thurmont to Highfield is spectacular...just beggin' to be modelled.

I've only been here for 1.5 years, so I'm not very familiar with everything there is to do and see!  I'll have to look up Sabilasville... maybe my wife knows of it?

[dwiemer]

I got EVERYTHING I wanted - no surprise since I was a VERY GOOD BOY in 2006! Here are just a few of the things that were in my stocking and under the Tree: Gallon of white teeth paint so my smile dazzles like the snow. A new hairpiece so I can hang out with the Ohio kids and the babes will look at me instead of Buckeye the Buck. A years supply of BOTOX so I can continue to look like a Chippendale. A TMCC II / DCS interface to DCC. Bob Nelson's advance copy of his new book "BASIC Electricity for Fledgelings" (Day Care, Pre-School, and Roseyville Folk Level). 5 gallons of TexASS BBQ sauce (for BEEF - NOT PORK). New Snow Blower. Speaking of Snow Blowers, I just got back from Denver...they called me last week and needed help at Stapleton on the main runway. You guys would have been proud of me!!! (See my avatar)

ROFL, Jim, we have missed your wit.

Dennis

[mitchelr]

Mitch, were you around when WM 236 pulled a convention train through there?

The Entertrainment line was the outfit that ran the dinner trains between Westminster and Highfield.

fifedog - I lived in Union Bridge from 1982 - 1988.  The Entertrainment Line used the former WM line owned by Maryland Midland.   I can't specifically recall the WM 236, although I do recall seeing WM trains on the line.  Maryland Midland had some interesting passenger cars on their property that were to be restored. I wonder what ever happened to them.  I believe at one time I read that the MM had done some studies about the feasibility of running commuter trains to conect to the Baltimore Metro at Owings Mills.  As many peope who commute from that area to Baltimore and DC now a rail connector to Baltimore or DC Metro might be more feasible now.

Mitch 

[fifedog]

Mitch, were you around when WM 236 pulled a convention train through there?

The Entertrainment line was the outfit that ran the dinner trains between Westminster and Highfield.

[mitchelr]

Hey 88, have you ventured to Sabilasville to check out the Maryland Midland's horseshoe curve? That line from Thurmont to Highfield is spectacular...just beggin' to be modelled.

Maryland Midland used to run excursions sometimes from the Union Bridge, MD station up to Highfield.  I rode the excursion about 18-20 years ago.  It was in the fall and the foliage and scentery was just great.

Mitch 

[fifedog]

Hey 88, have you ventured to Sabilasville to check out the Maryland Midland's horseshoe curve? That line from Thurmont to Highfield is spectacular...just beggin' to be modelled.

[Anonymous]

I've been trackside at both of those spots. My favorite spot in the steel city is just below Kennywood, overlooking Edgar Thompson. It is a trainwatcher's paradise.

It must be nice to have the Maryland Midland nearby (or are you actually near CSX's Hanover sub?)  Back in the 80's and early nineties they had a fleet of GP9's that were black with speed-style lettering.  The blue & orange livery just never grew on me.

I live in New Windsor, along the mainline.  The line runs from Highfield to Baltimore, not the North/South line.

I've seen the Western Maryland locos that you speak of, the Blue with Orange line is pretty neat (I may try to find a couple engines like this and add a spur line on the large layout, or I may buy some undecorated Williams engines and mock them up myself).

Yes the site you speak of near Kennywood is really neat as well.  I also like the Horseshoe curve in Altoona.  There is also a viaduct on the Erie RR that is very impressive as well.  PA has some incredible views for train watching... if you ever have a chance, stop along the bridge along the PA turnpike over the Allegheny River (near the Allegheny interchange), it is breath taking.  I can't locate my snapshots of it, so will have to take the digital with me on my next Pittsburgh trip... hopefully CSX will be running some trains through the corridor.

[Anonymous]

I received a tinplate clockwork train set made by Distler of Germany in the 1950's with a steam engine, tender, flatcar with stakes and chains, gondola car and boxcar. Best of all, it is mint in the original box (with beautiful artwork on it) and appers to have seen very little use. I guess Santa must have somehow forgotten about this set when it was made and dicovered it lying around after all these years. Other train-related items included a very large decorative metal model of a vintage double-decker streetcar and some books.

[fifedog]

I've been trackside at both of those spots. My favorite spot in the steel city is just below Kennywood, overlooking Edgar Thompson. It is a trainwatcher's paradise.

It must be nice to have the Maryland Midland nearby (or are you actually near CSX's Hanover sub?)  Back in the 80's and early nineties they had a fleet of GP9's that were black with speed-style lettering.  The blue & orange livery just never grew on me.

[okiechoochoo]

Got some stuff. Williams F3 AA, with passenger set, GP9, Lionel three car Archieve #2 boxcar set and clothes.  Wife pulled in diamonds, clothes and a Williams steam Girls Train.  Made her very happy.

[Anonymous]

I forget that not everyone is a railfan. I was refering to BNSF units showing up on a daily basis on CSX, many in the new GN Heritage scheme.

I too model the appalachians through Sand Patch.

fife,
OK, NOW I get you!

Actually I've not seen the BNSF engines on the CSX lines around here.  I'm actually rather fortunate to have the Maryland Midland RR run right behind my house!  I've lived in Bal'imer for about 1.5 years and just two weeks ago was stopped at the RR Xing for the first time!  Of course the camera was back at the house so I wasn't able to get any pics!

Before I moved here from Pittsburgh I lived in Aliquippa and Sewickley.  If you are familiar with those areas then you are familiar with the Conway Railyard.  It was pretty cool living so close to the tracks.

Oh, and a friend of mine's father used to live in Leetsdale on the Ohio River side of the tracks.  They used to stand on the bridge over the tracks and Rte 65 and drop cabbages into the PRR Steamers as they passed below them... some of the stories he told us kept us laughing for hours!

[fifedog]

I forget that not everyone is a railfan. I was refering to BNSF units showing up on a daily basis on CSX, many in the new GN Heritage scheme.

I too model the appalachians through Sand Patch.

[Anonymous]

To 88 - are you dumping your BN/GN stuff because you can stop by Bayview and see "pumpkins" on a daily basis.

To RR REddddd - don't shoot your eye out kid.

To jabaat - remember, the rose goes in the front...

fife,
Not entirely sure what you are referring to...

I dumped the GN/NP stuff because I wanted to model the Maryland and PA Appalacians on my big layout.  I like the Pacific Northwest, but to do the type of scenes I am interested in, the Rockies would have required a lot more space than I want to devote to mountains.

That and it is a lot easier to find B&O/C&O train stuff around here than it is GN/NP.

[cnw1995]

Very nice, Jon. I got a Schllying (sp) Rail Zeppelin - the silver one - a Philadelphia Corgi trolley - a Bowser motor to power it - a streamliner photo book - and a surprise: a gandy dancer hand cart which my beloved spent almost twice MSRP....

[highrailjon]

 OH YES!!!!

[Dr. John]

Better than I deserved!

I received -

• a Sandisc 4GB MP3 player
• a new cordless drill
• a Palm TX pda

No train stuff. My son's girlfriend did buy me some Lemax accessories for my Christmas village. Smart girl!

[mitchelr]

Santa was especially generous to me. I got a K-Line Plymouth Switcher with ore cars decorated in Western Maryland colors and a Wiliams GP9 in Western Maryland colors too.  In addition I got several vehicles for the layout.  Will try to post some pix to SPF.

 

Take care,

 

Mitch 

[LL675]

brought me a MTH N&W hopper and a K Line Speeder. Still no Pennsy Decapod though.