hey thanks everyone for the kind words.
went over and took charles and mabel (his wife) of 90 some fresh homade chocolate chip cookies. He looked at my and his eyes teared up......
he said that he hasnt had anyone bring him anything like that in more yrs then he can remeber. made me feel real good. poor guy he just wants his kids to love on him and visit but their in new york with their busy careers he said....i stay for a little bit and had some milk and cookies.
so let me see if i understand this track situation. I run 027 right now, my curves are to tight, but 034 or 042 will work with out any other changes to the straights?
Great ZEKE nice to know that you'll take care of that stuff for the old guy.
laz57
Zeke, congratulations on the blessings, a new friend and the great gift. As has been mentioned, you can use your O27 straights and just get some larger curves that are meant for O27 track. Lionel, K-Line, Marx and some others have it, or made it. You don't have to change your gauge track, just a loop of curves and you will be set.
I would certainly try to get them to that train museum ASAP. Check the dates for the museum, and check if they have any special needs to take a trip, and then make it happen.
One last thing, this hobby is full of great people. I think the only requirement, Pass It ON!!! Share your hobby with others, but also Pay it Forward. As you did with the lady and the alternator. You will be blessed far beyond anything you could imagine.
I am happy for you Zeke.
Dennis
TCA#09-63805
What a combo, new friend, new trains new stories! Wow
Jim
Zeke,
Congrats on your new friends and your finds! With all that you have been thru, you truly deserve some happiness. I look forward to see more pictures in this thread.
Keep on training,
Mike C. from Indiana
Very Happy for You Zeke
I have 027 track and I have replaced all my 027 curves with 034 and 042 and my trains run great on them. Gary
csxt30 wrote: fifedog wrote: ZEKE - SOMETIMES, SIMPLY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.Happy for you brother. Zeke !! We're all happy for you !! Thanks for sharing !! Thanks, John
fifedog wrote: ZEKE - SOMETIMES, SIMPLY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.Happy for you brother.
ZEKE - SOMETIMES, SIMPLY GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE.
Happy for you brother.
Zeke !! We're all happy for you !! Thanks for sharing !!
Thanks, John
One word: O34
Bob Nelson
If you are using 027 track, you will need to get new straights as well, because 31" curves are not part of the 027 line. If you are already using O gauge, you just need new curves.
the transformer i had before was a 1033 and a sw. the 1033 was okay and i thought the sw was ahuge upgrade, more power ( manly grunt) and this zw is really nice, its so smooth and running at slow speeds is incredible...
yes the bond i share with him is great, he actually was mentioning about a musem in sacramento he want to visit, so i might get the bel aire and take him and his wife down there soon!
That is a post war zw and it's a powerhouse - particularly if you are used to a CW.
I can't help but think you are on the way to building a very unique friendship. When ever you have time to spend with this fellow, you will be doing a very good deed.
hey thanks, so i should change out my curved track for 31 in order for it to run?
just want to make sure i understand. their is so much to learn when starting out.
thanks for the info on the track, i was wondering if i needed something differant
Your Lackawana is the same as a 736 from a mechanical standpoint. It needs a minimum radius of 31 inches.
That is very nice Zeke!
Bring Charles over on Sundays or other free days and have some fun together with the trains! Or drive him down to a local railway museum from time to time. He would appreciate that for sure!
Now you better make sure that you are going to run that engine! HAVE FUN
thanks for the comments everyone....
each and everyone of you is right.
i was much happier knowing i made a friend and that i made hie day. He is such a nice guy, with many stories and he told me he wish is kids would share his passion for trains. I didnt know how to answer him on that.
i am gonna take him up on his offer i am gonna go over there soon and dust off his layout and hopefully get him down ther to run them. i think that would just make him very happpy. Dinner was great with him and his wife last night, they said the havent had a dinner guest in 4-5 yrs. their kids done moved off to new york and just didnt have time for their parents. i didnt like hearing that.
I am gonna be his friend not the vulture, you should have seen him light up when i told him i would come over and clean the layout off so he can run them again. That is what this is all about i think.
tried running the 4-8-4 on my track but really isnt to thrilled about the curves. its this cuz of the track you think? Also the tender is cool it makes chugging sounds and others. its really big too.
that transformer is amazing...much better then what i was using. i can control 4 trains at once i think he said...really cool!
Good for you!!!
Time to get that layout up and running, and have that family over for some train fun!
I see a lot of trains from people that either are too old to run them, or their family is selling them off because no one is interested in the trains, and it really breaks my heart. You would think someone in the family would have the heart to just sit down with this guy and run trains with or for him, just so he could enjoy them again.
I think he'll a lot of pleasure out of your relationship, knowing that you're enjoying those trains!
Kurt
PS I think you might have to change your signature to:
" son i didnt bring you down here to take your money, i brought you down here cuz i see the light in your eyes, its the crazy about trains look."
"No childhood should be without a train!"
That's an excellent story, Zeke! As others have pointed out, the newfound friendship with this gentleman is the better find than the trains. I know what he means about the vultures comment. Sadly, many people in our hobby are getting older and when they pass away their family often just sells the trains off the first person they find. This man is probably very glad that these items went to someone who will truly appreciate them.
Also, here's a link with the history of the Lackawanna 4-8-4's that your model is based on, which includes links to pictures of them in service: http://www.steamlocomotive.com/northern/dlw.shtml
Don
What a great story. While that man made your day, moreso, I think you made his.
Folks in his age group have lives behind them that we can only imagine. You have made an incredible new friend.
Not nearly as important, is the fact that he uses tubular track, as all doers of good deeds do.
Outstanding!
Zeke, I am sure you made that man happy in knowing that some of his trains will be appreciated after he's gone. That probably meant more to him than money.
Enjoy them!
Well, actually human history is full of examples of bad things happening to good people and vise-versa.
That thought aside, I'll add my voice to the chorus that I don't hate you Zeke nor am I envious. You got a wonderful deal and it came from the kind heart of what sounds to be a pretty decent fellow. And I can relate to some of what he told you, for I've wanted marriage and kids for years and have never been blessed in that department. I think that's one of the reasons I'm such a strong toy train advocate is that I'm kind of doing the hobby with the son I have never had, at least in my mind. And when kids come to see the trains and they get all excited, I can not only see myself as a child through them, but try to imagine if I did have kids, that they'd be as excited to share the hobby with their dad.
Maybe one day Zeke I'll be giving my collection away to some young guy like you who may not have the money BUT has the APPRECIATION for the trains and knows the joy that they can bring. I'd be willing to bet this gentleman you got these trains from feels like I do: That he'd rather see the trains in the hands of someone who will bring that person the same joy he felt versus the hands of someone who will just try to make as much money as he can off the stuff. There are two value levels to our beloved trains: What the price guide says, and what the proud operator feels. That second one is immeasurable.
In these days of lawsuits, brand allegiance wars, and high end product quibbles and problems, it is a nice breeze of fresh air to read a story like yours here Zeke, either on this or the other forum when similar stories pop up over there.
brianel, Agent 027
"Praise the Lord. I may not have everything I desire, but the Lord has come through for what I need."
that is so true. good things happen to good people. I believe if you treat people well it will come back to you one way or another. I have a huge heart i like helping ppl espacially the elderly. Last week i think it was i stopped for an older elderly woman and not only gave her a ride but put in a new alternator on the spot for her. It makes me feel good to help ppl.
and my new friend is a great guy. i am looking forward to another visit and more stories.
First of all.
Thanks for your sevice to this great country so we can enjoy this great hobby !
Second what a friend you have made there.
You know this gentleman sounds like he's been and is a wonderful human,not because he's given you these great deals,but the way he has treated a total stranger.
I'm not mad,or envious,because good things happen to good people.
You know when I was a kid I've seen my Dad do things for people that others would have charged for,but when the people asked him,"Why he did it for free ?",he would reply,"Just do a favor for somebody else someday,and you'll have paid me back".I try to use my Dad's word anytime I can.
Enjoy what you've got there,it looks great !
Collin ,operator of the " Eastern Kentucky & Ohio R.R."
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