Lionel at the ceiling

[rogerhensley]

Ok, here is the latest, an O gauge train running near the ceiling of train room 1 at the Museum of Madison County History in Anderson Indiana.

[riogrande5761]

All I know is if my Lionel Hudson fell off the tracks onto my head, it could be real hurt, or even lethal.  The darn thing is a heavy metal beast.  

[joe323]

riogrande5761

All I know is if my Lionel Hudson fell off the tracks onto my head, it could be real hurt, or even lethal.  The darn thing is a heavy metal beast.  

 

I know what you mean my Lionel F unit is up on shelf just like the picture all year round albeit as a static display.  If the lead locomotive fell on my head I think a trip to the ER would be in order I have safety lip on the shelf though.

[hon30critter]

There is a really interesting very tiny pub just off of Airport Road about 50 kms north of Toronto. It is called the "Peter Sellers Pub" and pays homage to the actor as you would expect, but the neat part for us model railroaders is that they have a model railroad running around the pub just below the ceiling. I'm not sure of the gauge but it is about twice the size of O gauge. The train is very short. IIRC it consists of a small steam engine, a couple of passenger cars and a caboose. There are all sorts of whimsical background structures behind the tracks.

What adds to the atmosphere is that the pub is in the basement of a very old building with a rough stone foundation. The basement walls are whitewashed but that is about all that has been done to finish them. It is very dark inside but not what you might call dingy. The food is excellent to say the least, and they have multiple varieties of craft beers and scotch whiskeys at the bar. There is also a very highly rated restaurant on the main floor.

http://www.monocliffsinn.ca/#4

This is one of those 'hidden treasures' that we come across a few times in our lives. 

Dave

[SPSOT fan]

There was an Ice cream shop, I believe somewhere in west Michigan, that I visited once that had a larger (O scale I guess...) train running on the ceiling, just like in the OP’s picture, and I think a small n scale layout somewhere in shop too.

Also in Yakima Washington there was a museum (I think it was the agricultural museum?) with a boxcar full of train related stuff. In it was an HO scale display, and a larger (either G or O, likely the former) train also on the ceiling. Unfortunately is was in poor repair and not operational.

So I guess this is quite a common thing, especially with the larger scales!

[mbinsewi]

There are a few bars and restaurants around WI. that have a train above the bar, close to the ceiling.

I don't remember exactly where it was, it might have been a Charcoal Grill, had a G scale train running.

Mike.

[joe323]

The Wegmans (A high end supermarket in NY and NJ) near me has a G scale train that runs over the deli counter.

[SeeYou190]

SPSOT fan

There was an Ice cream shop, I believe somewhere in west Michigan, that I visited once that had a larger (O scale I guess...) train running on the ceiling

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Big Daddy's Ice Cream in North Fort Myers, Florida has a G scale train running at the ceiling.

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Truett's Grill (really a Chick-Fil-A) in McDonough, Georgia has a G sclae layout at the ceiling.

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-Kevin

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[SPSOT fan]

SeeYou190

 

 

SPSOT fan

There was an Ice cream shop, I believe somewhere in west Michigan, that I visited once that had a larger (O scale I guess...) train running on the ceiling

 

 

Big Daddy's Ice Cream in North Fort Myers, Florida has a G scale train running at the ceiling. 

Clearly a common attraction!

I must note these ceiling “layouts” are hardly model railroads though to be honest, they rarely have any scenery and the trains are usually poor models in comparison to the prototypes!

[Billwiz]

SPSOT fan

I must note these ceiling “layouts” are hardly model railroads though to be honest, they rarely have any scenery and the trains are usually poor models in comparison to the prototypes!

 

Isaac,

They are not designed to be fully sceniced, accurate displays, rather something extra for customers to view.  I love looking at model trains, no matter what size or how prototypical or fantastic.  And they become great conversation starters.  If I am looking at one with someone else, I can talk to them about the hobby or invite them to my church's December train display.  

[SeeYou190]

SeeYou190

Big Daddy's Ice Cream in North Fort Myers, Florida has a G scale train running at the ceiling.

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My wife just corrected me. It is not Big Daddy's, it is "Daddy Dee's" Ice Cream.

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Maybe I should not let her read the forums.

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-Kevin

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[rogerhensley]

Okay, another shot with scenery.

[Tinplate Toddler]

SPSOT fan

I must note these ceiling “layouts” are hardly model railroads though to be honest, they rarely have any scenery and the trains are usually poor models in comparison to the prototypes!

Who is to be judge and who is to be jury?

Sometimes, people in here are just a little too quick in their judgement, which often ends up to be a prejudice!

Instead of looking down on ceiling layouts or "toy train" layouts, we should be thankful for any promotion of our hobby!

[York1]

Billwiz

If I am looking at one with someone else, I can talk to them about the hobby or invite them to my church's December train display.  

 

This sounds interesting.  I don't know if you have written before about your church's display, but can you tell me about it?  Do you have any pictures?

[York1]

Fritz's Restaurant in downtown Kansas City has a train whistle sound, then a locomotive comes on a track around the top of the restaurant, bringing the food to the table.  The food is suspended below the track, and when it gets to the correct table, it deposits the food in a tray which slowly lowers to the table.

Grandkids (and everyone else) love it!

 

[NS6770fan]

joe323

The Wegmans (A high end supermarket in NY and NJ) near me has a G scale train that runs over the deli counter.

 

Wegmans here in Lancaster (south east PA) has a g scale fictional Pennsy GP40 headed up a train above the bakery.

[Billwiz]

York1

This sounds interesting.  I don't know if you have written before about your church's display, but can you tell me about it?  Do you have any pictures?

We have some model railroaders at the church and I suggested we set up some displays for the community.  Turned into a big event with crafters in one part of the building and multiple trains in another - from Z to G and most in between.  We created the "Right Track" Bible Study and Train Group, and built a Christmas HO layout.  Also here is a picture of my layout for this year which includes both the Lionel Polar Express and an HO loop.

We are located in Honey Brook PA on the Chester and Lancaster County border.  The event is Dec 14th opening at 10 AM.  Any of you in the area are invited to stop in, I'd love to meet you.  PM me for more information.  

Edit:  now on the coming events section under resources tab:  http://trc.trains.com/events.aspx?page=info&eventid=1756082

[York1]

Billwiz

We are located in Honey Brook PA on the Chester and Lancaster County border.  The event is Dec 14th opening at 10 AM.  Any of you in the area are invited to stop in, I'd love to meet you.  PM me for more information.

 

That is really neat!  I would love to see some of us in our church start something like that.

I'm about 1300 miles away, so I will only be able to enjoy the layouts by pictures.

Congratulations on a great idea, both for your church and for model railroading.

[Pantherphil]

In 1956 my dad set up my Lionel Christmas gift in our kitchen/dining room in our home in West Chester, PA not far from your location.  The 2037 locomotive (see my avatar) with Baby Ruth Boxcar, Lionel Lines Gondola, and Shell Oil Tanker with a tuscan Lionel Lines caboose.  We had the Plasticville station, the green and white house, and the church just as shown on your layout plus the Lionel semaphore signal, crossing gate and flashing crossing signal.  Plus lots of bottle pine trees, a tunnel hand made by my dad and a water tower made from a ribbon spool by my mom.  Looked just like yours except the table was painted green.  I am doing the same layout for my 6 year old grandson this Christmas with the Polar Express set.  Thank you so much for posting this.

[Billwiz]

York1

I'm about 1300 miles away, so I will only be able to enjoy the layouts by pictures

What's 1300 miles among friends?  Thanks.  We have a blast showing off the trains.  

 

 

[Billwiz]

Pantherphil. Are you still in West Chester area?  Come on over with your grandson. 

[SeeYou190]

It just occured to me...

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Colonial Photo and Hobby in Orlando, Florida has a Lionel train that runs the perimeter of the store at ceiling level.

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-Kevin

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[hon30critter]

SPSOT fan

I must note these ceiling “layouts” are hardly model railroads though to be honest, they rarely have any scenery and the trains are usually poor models in comparison to the prototypes!

You are certainly entitled to your opinions, but I have to disagree. That's like telling every kid with an oval of track on the floor that he doesn't have a model railroad. That's a bit snobish IMHO, although I doubt that is the way you intended your comments to be seen.

Ceiling railroads are every bit model railroads! The fact that they may be whimsical or lack detail and/or scenery doesn't change that at all. The ceiling layout in the Peter Sellers Pub that I mentioned earlier is totally whimsical, it only has a couple of structures, and it is still very entertaining! I think it adds enormously to the ambiance in the pub.

No disrespect intended SPSOT. Just my .

Dave

[SeeYou190]

hon30critter

That's a bit snobish IMHO

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I kind of thought the same thing, but Isaac is young and full of ambition to build a great layout at some point. Maybe his point of view is one of "hobby vs toy" and not the definition of a real layout.

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When I was in High School, and built my first layout with scenery, I became kind of snobbish about what a real layout was.

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I have since relaxed.

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-Kevin

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[Medina1128]

There is a burger joint called Fritz's in Crown Center in Kansas City, Missouri that uses an overhead train to deliver food to the booths.

[Pantherphil]

We moved to Willow Grove in1957.  After HS I went to Lehigh in Bethlehem and Law School in Boston and 4 years in USAF.  In 1980 moved to Maine and still here.  Long way from Chester County.  Did get down your way a few times in the 2000's when my son attended Dickinson College in Carlisle.  Saw him play baseball at F & M, Gettysburg, Albright and similar schools but haven't been back for years.  Thanks for the invite

[joe323]

Actually when we were remodeling tha house a few years  back we put shelves over the bedroom and I thought of running a train there but the trains lost out to our teddy bear collection.

[hon30critter]

joe323

Actually when we were remodeling tha house a few years  back we put shelves over the bedroom and I thought of running a train there but the trains lost out to our teddy bear collection.

So buy a small locomotive and some large scale excursion cars and  put the teddy bears in them!

Dave

 

[joe323]

hon30critter

Too late the Teddy Bears have taken over and have squatters rights  

 

joe323

Actually when we were remodeling tha house a few years  back we put shelves over the bedroom and I thought of running a train there but the trains lost out to our teddy bear collection.

 

 

So buy a small locomotive and some large scale excursion cars and  put the teddy bears in them!

Dave