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Food for thought

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  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Anderson Indiana
  • 1,301 posts
Food for thought
Posted by rogerhensley on Thursday, April 21, 2005 7:08 AM
I received this yesterday from a close friend. I knew that he had been working with a gentleman who was in poor health. IMO - THIS is what the hobby is all about…


JW, a member of the CID (Central Indiana Division, NMRA) lost his battle with many problems. Heart and kidney failure resulting in the removal of one of his legs, didn't stop him from still planning the completion of the main line on his layout. But infection did.

I've included a picture of him from about a year ago. I just want you to see how happy he looks. You see in all his 40+ years of model railroading, he never had one foot of running railroad. I'm glad to have been able to help him see his dream of watching a train run around his basement. Sure, the scenery wasn't started, and all the turn out controls weren't in, but I wish you could have seen his face when he turned the dial on the power pack for the first time.

This great hobby we are in knows no age, knows no handicap, and has no enemies, we are all just kids at heart, we help those who can't, and become great friends as a result. I will miss this great friend I made but I know he's in good hands now cause God is surely a model railroader too.

Matt

[End Quote]

Roger Hensley
= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html =
= Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Thursday, April 21, 2005 7:13 AM
Thanks for sharing Roger, this really is a hobby for all ages and for a lifetime.

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Rhode Island
  • 2,216 posts
Posted by davekelly on Thursday, April 21, 2005 8:25 AM
Way cool. Kinda makes the RTR vs Kit, Digitrax vs NCE, N vs HO etc. debates seem somewhat less important doesn't it?
If you ain't having fun, you're not doing it right and if you are having fun, don't let anyone tell you you're doing it wrong.
  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 379 posts
Posted by dwRavenstar on Thursday, April 21, 2005 8:32 AM
If I may, I'll tip my hat to the gentleman. [bow]

You gotta know St. Peter handed him a controller on his way through the Gates. [^]

Dave Wyland (dwRavenstar)
If hard work could hurt us they'd put warning lables on tool boxes
  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,321 posts
Posted by selector on Thursday, April 21, 2005 12:01 PM
Very happy you shared that with us. I hope you are looked after by someone as thoughtful (and into MR) as you have been when the time comes to put the fire out.

May he rest on the regulator lever in peace.

-Crandell
  • Member since
    June 2001
  • From: Anderson Indiana
  • 1,301 posts
Posted by rogerhensley on Thursday, April 21, 2005 5:42 PM
QUOTE: Originally posted by davekelly

Way cool. Kinda makes the RTR vs Kit, Digitrax vs NCE, N vs HO etc. debates seem somewhat less important doesn't it?


Indeed. :-)
Sometimes we forget. I'm glad that Matt doesn't.


Roger Hensley
= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html =
= Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Northern Ca
  • 1,008 posts
Posted by jwar on Thursday, April 21, 2005 5:52 PM
A touch of class, thanks for sharing, you made my day..Thanks...John
John Warren's, Feather River Route WP and SP in HO
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Finger Lakes
  • 10,196 posts
Posted by howmus on Thursday, April 21, 2005 6:25 PM
Thanks for sharing this Roger! I try to remember when things go wrong that: "The purpose of life is a life of purpose." - Robert Burns

Ray Seneca Lake, Ontario, and Western R.R. (S.L.O.&W.) in HO

We'll get there sooner or later! 

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 901 posts
Posted by nickinwestwales on Thursday, April 21, 2005 6:41 PM
Lost for words,regards,nick

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