skerber wrote: An Athearn Conrail Blue Box Sd40-2. Although it isn't as fancy as my other locomotives, I am real excited to have a Blue Box that is no longer in production. My son is young, so Athearns are safer to have around than Blue Lines--I know because he dropped a 15 year + old gp38 blue box Conrail two weeks ago and I was able to put the locomotive together and it looks fine. I had a sd60M proto 2000 days earlier fall off my train table and it is presently smashed to bits in the front and is totally unrunable.
An Athearn Conrail Blue Box Sd40-2. Although it isn't as fancy as my other locomotives, I am real excited to have a Blue Box that is no longer in production. My son is young, so Athearns are safer to have around than Blue Lines--I know because he dropped a 15 year + old gp38 blue box Conrail two weeks ago and I was able to put the locomotive together and it looks fine. I had a sd60M proto 2000 days earlier fall off my train table and it is presently smashed to bits in the front and is totally unrunable.
My son is 19 and way past the train bug when he was 5 years old, the ol' Blue Boxes were the best. We started him off with his own engine, the Hustler. He still has it. Great way to go for the young ones. I think you start there and see what develops before you sink major coin into Kato or Atlas products.
Phase 2 of Christmas:
Spectrum Combine, Coach, IHC 4-8-2 (don't laugh. It looks awesome) all in Daylight. And I could swear the Tailight on the IHC is brighter than the headlight. The whole tender glows.
-Morgan
Santa dlivered my Christmas present to me early, actually last June, in the form of a 5 foot 6 inch sweet lady who supports my hobby, and who has stood by my side through a tough time, when I was seriously injured at work, and disabled for the last 6 months.Christmas day she fixed me the Christmas meal of all Christmas meals, and we shared the day with her two grandaughters, 4 years old and 10 months old.The10 month old get an animated "Elmo" and she laughed and giggled with delight as Elmo laughed and did his tricks!
The rest of us just laughed with hyseria at the reactions from Emma , her 10 month old granddaugter
Deb did give me a really neat flashlight with a swiveling head , and it will come in handy for those odd hard to reach and illuminate places under the train tables.When Deb first saw my layout( still under construction, she said Oh my gosssshhhh , Drew, her oldest Grandson (6 years old)would just be tickled pink to see all of these trains. Unfortunately he lives about 175 miles south of us, but we plan on having him up before much longer.But she feels it's important that I have a hobby like this, and totally supports me in it.You just can't ask fror more!Fortunately I just got a doctors release, so I'll have to look for work, my former employer discharged me because of my injury, then refused to file an accident report with the state of Indana Workmens Comp Board.
The state gave him a BIG BAG of COAL for Xmas, and pulled his rights for running his trucks in Indiana and he can't reapply for three years!It really cooked his Xmas Goose, because he had a very profitable contract hauling GM parts.
And I sent him a lawsuit for 6 months wages, and damages. The accident was due to his negligence of safety.
But Christmas day more than made up for the last 6 months of hard times!
Hopefully by next Christmas Deb will be 'Mrs K4Kid" Later this year, I plan on taking Deb and several of the Grandkids on a Steam Excursion ride , the train pulled by the real "NKP 765" out of New Haven Indiana.
TheK4Kid
PS0-Santa let me pick out a Christmas present to myself , a new MRC Prodigy Express DCC system!I retired my old Atlas System.
Dave Vollmer wrote:Among other nice things, I got the gift that keeps on giving...(Cut for length)
Among other nice things, I got the gift that keeps on giving...
(Cut for length)
You're going to LOVE it once it's done...
We've got the same kit in the basement. Inactive right now though...
This space reserved for SpaceMouse's future presidential candidacy advertisements
Dave Vollmer wrote:Among other nice things, I got the gift that keeps on giving......A Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kit!!!First batch of lager is fermenting as we speak!Looks like I'm about to embark on yet another lifelong hobby...Merry Christmas!!!
...A Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kit!!!
First batch of lager is fermenting as we speak!
Looks like I'm about to embark on yet another lifelong hobby...
Merry Christmas!!!
That's cool Dave!Make beer, drink beer, run trains!
You're going to be a VERY POPULAR guy from now on, now all us guys have TWO reasons to come and see your layout!
The layout and the beer!Have fun Dave!
Dave Vollmer wrote: Among other nice things, I got the gift that keeps on giving......A Mr. Beer Home Brewing Kit!!!First batch of lager is fermenting as we speak!Looks like I'm about to embark on yet another lifelong hobby...Merry Christmas!!!
Well, there goes the layout. That home brew has quite the kick!...Santa brought me a Noch grass master with the sampler pack, some silflor, two Walther's Cornerstone buildings, a rix engine house, some pieser figures, and on the way, (didn't get here yet) an Athearn MP15AC yard switcher and an undecorated SD45-2 both with DCC and Sound!....chuck
TheK4Kid wrote:Fortunately I just got a doctors release, so I'll have to look for work, my former employer discharged me because of my injury, then refused to file an accident report with the state of Indiana Workmens Comp Board.The state gave him a BIG BAG of COAL for Xmas, and pulled his rights for running his trucks in Indiana and he can't reapply for three years!It really cooked his Xmas Goose, because he had a very profitable contract hauling GM parts.And I sent him a lawsuit for 6 months wages, and damages. The accident was due to his negligence of safety.TheK4Kid
So, I take it, you are a fellow truck driver. Are you *SURE* you don't work for the same company I do? Feel free to send an email, I wouldn't ask for you to publicly say the name of the company.
Brad
EMD - Every Model Different
ALCO - Always Leaking Coolant and Oil
CSX - Coal Spilling eXperts
Bachmann 2-8-4, NKP 765 (PM 1225 soon to come)Athearn Genesis MP15AC Canadian Pacific (non-sound, of course)2 Athearn RTR HELM Leasing GP38-2'sAthearn RTR C&NW Work Train set
Some railroad books, real Union Pacific employee chest pack (for handheld radio), genreal Christmas items, ect...
Phil
Hi all,My haul from the wife, dogs, and cats: Misc. rolling stock, odds & ends (track, switches, NMRA gauge, etc.), couple of non-Kalmbach mags, a work light, Weller heavy duty soldering gun, and a DeWalt 10" compound mitre saw (complete surprise but will come in handy when I build the 'real' layout). Well, that's the train stuff anyway :)I got her a buncha Nike and UnderArmor workout gear (which I consider a worthwhile investment...heh...never discourage your wife when she wants to stay in shape), clothes from Victoria's secret, and various things for her hobbies. The 'kids' got ropes for tugging, pig ears, dried fish, catnip toys, etc. Don't worry they all have fur.
Had a very nice Christmas day catching a movie with my wife and a friend and making a yummy Italian dinner. Hope you all had a great day too.M
My kids gave the wife and I two tickets on the Austin Steam Train running from Cedar Park to Burnet Tx. We'll do it in the spring. She loves shopping in Burnet and I will enjoy the train ride.
Regards,
Tom
A New Camera
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Santa started it all last Christmas with a Bachmann boxed set that kept me entertained for about 10 minutes, but still thrills the Grandbabies (3 boys, ages 4,3 and 3). As I already work in 1:1 scale, ( I dispatch for the BNSF) operations are the challenge, not watching it go in circles, I didn't drag it out very often, but being the soft hearted PawPaw, I always accomodated the babies. Then the train show came to town (Houston) and I dragged Me-Maw and the babies to the show.... Layouts after layouts, scenery and SOUND! Me-Maw was hooked! (I was already there, having built a layout in '79-'80 that had to be torn down for the new nursery.... things happen, you know....) Then a visit to a local club - All Points North in Conroe... I am a devious little snot aren't I? More SOUND and great scenery, fine Club. Since the Show, Santa has been paying off like winning the slots... Lumber for the benchwork, Flex track, a dozen or so Atlas switches, Foam, tools, a couple of forays into e-bay for some used cars and a used 4-8-0 that needs some work, but still runs ok.. This year - Jackpot! NCE DCC cab system, a BLI SD-40 in ATSF livery, and the Kids threw in for gift certs for the LHS... Turn about is fair play, though.... Santa love those "little black ones" so I got her a Spectrum 2-8-0 so she can join in the fun. I have about 70% of the trackwork finished on a 9x5 layout that pretty much copies the Granite Gorge and Northern track plan by Atlas (we all love bridges and tunnels don't we?) and will be building modules to hang off the sides later..... I love Christmas! Sure glad "Santa" likes trains too!
I once caught a train in my pajama's. How it got in my pajama's I'll never know... (sorry, Groucho)
The only useful train related stuff I received were a Craftsman 19.2v vacuum, which is good for cleaning the benchwork & stuff & a "modern" Conductors watch. Battery operated not wind up.
Also $20 cash so that's being thoughtfully spent at the local hobby shop.
Gordon
Brought to you by the letters C.P.R. as well as D&H!
K1a - all the way
My nephew gave me $50.00 in gift certificates to LHS and he is going to try and get me the wood for layout(switching).That made me Happy-Happy
Merry Christmas to all-Bob
I received a new digital camera for Christmas. It actually has a few manual settings, unlike my former camera. I also got an air compressor from my father. He bought it for the garage, I have different plans for it. I'm going to pair it up with an air brush promised to me from my uncle. He forgot to bring it to Christmas. Now all I need is a new layout to use it on! Oh, and I got new socks! Can't forget the socks!
twcenterprises wrote: TheK4Kid wrote:Fortunately I just got a doctors release, so I'll have to look for work, my former employer discharged me because of my injury, then refused to file an accident report with the state of Indiana Workmens Comp Board.The state gave him a BIG BAG of COAL for Xmas, and pulled his rights for running his trucks in Indiana and he can't reapply for three years!It really cooked his Xmas Goose, because he had a very profitable contract hauling GM parts.And I sent him a lawsuit for 6 months wages, and damages. The accident was due to his negligence of safety.TheK4KidSo, I take it, you are a fellow truck driver. Are you *SURE* you don't work for the same company I do? Feel free to send an email, I wouldn't ask for you to publicly say the name of the company. Brad
Hi Brad,
Yes I am, or was! LOL!
I at one time worked for a Georgia based company and they were very good folks to work for!This other guy is based in a more northernly state, and no I won't mention the name on here.In fact the Georgia based company asked me to come back, but they don't have anything in my immediate area, and I would have to move to Indianapolis Indiana, which I have no desire to do.I was working local for the last ten ywears, and really enjoyed it, go home everyday, no OTR and being gone all week, because let's face it, you can't really have any hobbies or any real home life, and despite the ads in classifieds, no one wants to pay a decent wage, they advertise 700 to 1,000 a week, but I just laugh, years ago, I had my own truck, pulled for a local automotive firm, and made 7,500 to 9,000 a week gross to the truck,(running Indiana to California delivering product to Ford Motor Company and loaded BOTH WAYS, no deadhead! fuel was 28 to 39 cents a gallon, there were FAR FEWER RADAR COPS, life on the road was much better, prices were much less costly, and my paycheck was almost constantly at least 1/3 or more what the truck grossed.Unforunately, those days are long gone and NAFTA forever sealed the fate of those days ever returning again!
Now it costs almost 2,000 to 2,500 a week just for fuel!
75 to 100 dollar an hour labor rates to get trucks worked on, 375 dollars for a road service call, owning your own is a very RISKY BUSINESS!
I'm actually looking into new business line, really don't want to climb back into any trucks anymore, 32 years on the raod, I've had my fill!
Have a great New Year!
I got this from under the tree from my mother-in-law on Christmas morning...
And a detailed description of the Walthers item found here:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-6522
Also got a set of seated Preiser Kg passengers:
And a detailed description of the Preiser Kg item found here:
http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/590-10299
Now, I don't normally collect Burlington Northern but my M-I-L's dad worked for the BN and she has a special place in her heart for the Burlington Route! So, I will have to come up with a way to incorporate a few pieces of BN on the layout!
Any suggestions?
I also got a $200.00 gift cert from Train Buddy Train Shop from the better half!
Cheers,
Ryan
Ryan BoudreauxThe Piedmont Division Modeling The Southern Railway, Norfolk & Western & Norfolk Southern in HO during the merger eraCajun Chef Ryan
C O Fan wrote: A New Camera
BLI E Unit?
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
AHM Sunoco oil tank car
Bachmann BN 50 foot box car
Tyco SP 70 foot box car
Bachmann F-7 Western Maryland.
Model Power Church
Woodland scenics gas station
Walthers Pet Supply store
A couple woodland scenics figures & cars
With these gifts you would have thought I like trains or something.
DigitalGriffin wrote: C O Fan wrote: A New CameraBLI E Unit?
VERY GOOD !
Yes it is !
Here's what I got for Christmas:
Hailey is our first great grand daughter and this was our first opportunity to hold her.
Life is simple - eat, drink, play with trains!
Go Big Red!
PA&ERR "If you think you are doing something stupid, you're probably right!"
SilverSpike wrote: I got this from under the tree from my mother-in-law on Christmas morning...And a detailed description of the Walthers item found here:http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/932-6522Also got a set of seated Preiser Kg passengers:And a detailed description of the Preiser Kg item found here:http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/590-10299Now, I don't normally collect Burlington Northern but my M-I-L's dad worked for the BN and she has a special place in her heart for the Burlington Route! So, I will have to come up with a way to incorporate a few pieces of BN on the layout!Any suggestions?I also got a $200.00 gift cert from Train Buddy Train Shop from the better half!Cheers,Ryan
You could always remove a end, replace it with a TSP BN "Glacier View" Theater Car end, paint the end green, and decal the car for the Glacier View. Then, you'd have the car as your personal business car...and it's prototype.
This was the year of the brass locomotive. I got a:
W&R NP 2-8-8-2
PFM SOO 4-6-2
Sunset NP 4-8-4
Now I need to get DCC and sound in the first two and get them up and running.
Merry Christmas to all.
I was lucky to get an Atlas limited edition U30C BN #1776 bicentennial locomotive. Its one nice model and runs like a dream.
And also a Soo Line Accurail covered hoper and a roundhouse Golden West gondola and some odds and ends.
Overall a great Christmas and spending it with my family.
Mark
wgnrr wrote: You could always remove a end, replace it with a TSP BN "Glacier View" Theater Car end, paint the end green, and decal the car for the Glacier View. Then, you'd have the car as your personal business car...and it's prototype.Phil
Great idea Phil, thanks for the suggestion! That would also mean more revenue for the Southern passenger through service, the operating options are endless....
pretty soon you will step up to the 5 gallon carboys and be brewing two cases at a time... trust me... i am at that stage of my homebrewing adventure!!! its a great hobby that is a BLAST to enjoy!
TheK4Kid wrote:I was working local for the last ten years, and really enjoyed it, go home everyday, no OTR and being gone all week, because let's face it, you can't really have any hobbies or any real home life, and despite the ads in classifieds, no one wants to pay a decent wage, they advertise 700 to 1,000 a week, but I just laugh, years ago, I had my own truck, pulled for a local automotive firm, and made 7,500 to 9,000 a week gross to the truck,(running Indiana to California delivering product to Ford Motor Company and loaded BOTH WAYS, no deadhead! fuel was 28 to 39 cents a gallon, there were FAR FEWER RADAR COPS, life on the road was much better, prices were much less costly, and my paycheck was almost constantly at least 1/3 or more what the truck grossed. Unforunately, those days are long gone and NAFTA forever sealed the fate of those days ever returning again!Now it costs almost 2,000 to 2,500 a week just for fuel!75 to 100 dollar an hour labor rates to get trucks worked on, 375 dollars for a road service call, owning your own is a very RISKY BUSINESS! I'm actually looking into new business line, really don't want to climb back into any trucks anymore, 32 years on the road, I've had my fill!
I'm actually looking into new business line, really don't want to climb back into any trucks anymore, 32 years on the road, I've had my fill!
Can't really say I blame you, I would never think about buying another truck unless I had a golden opportunity come along. I'll let some other poor joker...er uh, victim...er, uh, owner worry with those headaches.
As for those companies advertising $700-1,000 a week, yeah right. They'll run you as hard as they can, some will cheat you on pay and/or nickle and dime you to death, and you'd be burned out in less than a year. Oh, and hope those DOT cops don't audit your lie book... er uh, log book. In all fairness there are some companies that don't do that, they run you legal, but then you end up starving for miles.
For now, I'll stick with my local gig.