Rest in the Lord's peace Elliot.
I remember just a bit about the diner during Elliot's time. I was lurking on and off for years before I actually joined in.
When I finally joined, it was Elliot's diner.
Excellent posts from Ric and TF !
Sad to hear.
Mike.
My You Tube
Thanks TF, that is quite a tribute to Elliot. I am sure that we all appreciate his contributions to the hobby and to these forums.
Rich
Alton Junction
Good morning
richhotrain TF, What a beautiful story about Elliot. Sometime back, he was talked about at length in the thread that I linked and how he started what today is the Diner. Although I am not a regular in the Diner, I have always been intrigued with its origins. So, I hope that today's regulars will find all of this as interesting as I do. If you have the time and inclination to do so, if you could post this same information and photos in the other thread about Elliot's passing, I think that everyone who reads that thread would appreciate your thoughts and recollections. Rich
TF,
What a beautiful story about Elliot.
Sometime back, he was talked about at length in the thread that I linked and how he started what today is the Diner. Although I am not a regular in the Diner, I have always been intrigued with its origins. So, I hope that today's regulars will find all of this as interesting as I do.
If you have the time and inclination to do so, if you could post this same information and photos in the other thread about Elliot's passing, I think that everyone who reads that thread would appreciate your thoughts and recollections.
Elliot was one of the nicest guys you'd ever want to meet and loved by all. The kind of person that would give you the shirt off his back if you needed one.
I'd sit and chat with Elliot at the Club breakfast bar, many Sunday mornings. He had talked about his layout exhibit at the Mega Mall a few times, and was planning on having me build a curved bridge for his basement layout. Unfortunately this never happened, as other complications and covid took place some time after.
Elliot was in a leg brace, having a tough time with circulation loss, my recollection from a diabetic condition. Some time later, he had to have his leg amputated. He just couldn't get a break, as he developed some rare infection that ate from the inside out of his hand.
Tamera was Elliot's, in home dialysis caretaker, and sent pictures to our club host Gary, who forwarded them to all of us. Elliot never gave up fighting.
What an inspiration, that Elliot still had that same beautiful smile on his face he always had, even after everything he was going through.
God rest Elliot's soul as he's at peace now. He will always be remembered as the kind soul he is.
John
I have been under the weather recently, so I am a bit late replying to this thread.
First, my condolences to Elliot's family on his passing. I did not know Elliot, but his presence on this forum and his impact on the Diner was groundbreaking. At the very least, his name should be added with honor on the RIP Track in the Diner.
When Jeffrey Wimberly passed away on December 14, 2014, it was decided to rename the Diner from Elliott's Trackside Diner to Jeffrey's Trackside Diner with the wholehearted approval of the MR membership.
https://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/243124.aspx
Elliot had passed away a few years earlier, but the Diner remained in his name and in his honor until another giant in our little MR family passed way at the end of 2014.
At the time of Jeff's passing in late 2014, a discussion was begun whether to rename the Diner in Jeff's honor. At that time, we learned more about Elliot, who he was and how he had contributed to the forum. Here are some excerpts about Elliot:
Turns out, Elliot is a fella who joined the forums back in December 2003. He is currently inactive on the forums but goes by the screen name of Big_Boy_4005. His profile indicates that he is a 3-rail O-gauge modeler. In 1992, he was the owner and designer of a large public display layout at the Mall of America, preserved in the pages of MR (October 1993) and CTT (September 1993). He had some serious health issues back in 2007-2012, but has now returned to modeling, building a 2,000 square foot layout in his basement. A Youtube video features the Twin Cities Central as of 10/30/14. He made a brief reappearance on the CTT forum in March 2013 with a short message on the Coffee Pot.
Big_Boy_4005 came up with the idea to start the diner back in April 2004. Initially it was called “The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est 2004”. Prior to that, and there seems to be some confusion here, there was a similar thread called the Beer Barn on the forums. The Coffee Shop closed on 12/31/06 and was restarted at the beginning of 2007 as the Trackside Diner. It was later renamed Elliot’s Trackside Diner by its participants.
Reappeared on 3-13-2013 on CTT Coffee Pot.
Elliot is Big_Boy_4005.
A 3-rail O gauger.
I'm 51, and have been interested in trains all my life. I have worked in every major scale (including full size) at one time or another. Today I focus all my energy on O highrail. (3 rail O) For a number of years, I actually made a living in the hobby industry. In 1992 I was the owner and designer of a large public display train layout at the Mall of America. If you would like to see the layout , it has been preserved in the pages of MR (Oct. '93, p 92) and CTT (Sept. '93, p 86). Now I spend my time working on my dream layout. With a 2000 square foot train room in my basement, and all of the material left over from the mall display, I have my work cut out for me.
UPDATE: It has been over 6 years since my cancer diagnosis. Two surgeries in Jan 2007 seem to have gotten it all, but one of the scars was I've lost much of my interest in trains. In May 2012, my oncologist said he didn't want to see me anymore. Time for a comeback!
RGrande, Elliott (AKA BigBoy4005 - not sure on the number part of his old handle) was the one who started this Diner, then known as the Coffee Shop, as a place where off-topic posts (non-MRR-related) were permitted. Before the Diner (and another topic, which I believe was the Beer Barn), if you got off of MRR topics you might get a talking-to from one of the forum moderators (not quite as hard on you as Vinnie is, though).
From what I recall, Elliott was involved with a MRR club (in Minnesota, I think) which had a layout (modular?) that they would set up in one of the enclosed malls in their area at some point in the year (like around the holidays) and run trains to infect expose the general public to model railroading. He wasn't as active in the Diner when I started hanging around here (and I would have to look up when that was - 2006, maybe?), and a few years ago (maybe even 7-10 by now), his health began to give him problems, and he did eventually die. We renamed the Diner after him several years ago, in his honor.
The Coffee Shop (a place to chat) Est 2004
Closed 12-31-2006
Renamed Trackside Diner
Later renamed Elliot’s Trackside Diner
First called Beer Barn , later Coffee Shop
Still alive, apparently building a huge o gauge layout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IeoACNbw3o
Walking tour of the Twin Cities Central 10/30/14
Edit Note: Sorry for the somewhat chaotic nature of this post. I am working to edit this bits and pieces into a more comprehensive summary of the origins of the Diner.
Also one who wasn't really familiar with Elliot, I will add my condolences for those who knew him. He obviously deserves his place in the R.I.P. Track. Dan
Though I never knew Elliot, it is always sad to hear the passing of a member of our model railroad family.
Condolences to his family and friends.
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
SeeYou190I will add his name to the memorial in time for March.
Thanks Kevin,
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I will add his name to the memorial in time for March.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I never knew Big Boy, so just let me know if he should be added, and I will make it so.
Hi Kevin,
I think it would be appropriate to add Elliot to the RIP page, especially considering that he was the one who started 'The Coffee Shop' which was the original Diner. By the way, Elliot's last name was Feinberg.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Condolences to Elliot's friends and family.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
I remember responding to some of his posts years back. Generally a friendly, encouuraging gentleman. May God rest him in gentle peace.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
I don't remember him, but I remember when this place was Elliot's Trackside Diner. I vote for including him on the RIP Track. There's a copy of his avatar on one of those old threads at the top.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Sad to hear about his passing.
Big Boy was the one that orginally started the Diner when it was called The Coffee Shop
Duke
"Don't take a wooden nickel,because it isn't worth a dime" by my Dad
"There are only 3 things you need out of life:A gentle grade,the wind in your face,and cinders in your hair.....But keep an eye on the water glass!" Jack Evans
hon30critterI sincerely apologise for not being able to remember the fact that you have been the one.
Dave: Not necessary at all, I can't remember (ever) who has posted this-or-that on this thread.
I never knew Big Boy, so just let me know if he should be added, and I will make it so.
SeeYou190I have been maintaining the RIP Track graphic.
Kevin, I sincerely apologise for not being able to remember the fact that you have been the one who has done such an excellent job of keeping the RIP track up to date. I am deeply embarrassed.
Sorry if I have disappointed you.
Respectfully,
hon30critterWe need to get him added to the R.I.P. track, but I can't remember whether it was TF or Kevin who was doing that for us.
I have been maintaining the RIP Track graphic.
I will see what I can do...
He was an O-scaler so he probably spent most of his time posting on the Classic Toy Trains forum...
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
THe forum name doesn't sound familiar but sorry to hear it.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
That's sad to hear. We need to get him added to the R.I.P. track, but I can't remember whether it was TF or Kevin who was doing that for us. Senior's moment.
Jim