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Post by tcwright973 on May 1, 2012 7:06:46 GMT -8
Maybe this is a good place to have a cup of coffee and get to know each other. I am 72 years old, married for 48 years, a Viet Nam veteran and a retired Fire Fighter. I had both "O" and "HO" gauge layouts when I was a kid, but dropped out of the hobby when I got married. Boy, that was a long time ago. Anyway, about 7 or 8 years back, my interest returned. No layout at this point, but I began collecting locomotives and rolling stock for railroads which ran in Western Pennsylvania either in the past or the present. I should have done a little more research as I didn't realize there were so many or I would have restricted it somewhat. It's a fair size collection now representing 38 different railroads. I also became interested in railfanning this time around, something I had never done before. Both the wife and I like to take little day trips just to watch trains. That's about it for me, how about you?
Tom
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Post by KIM on May 1, 2012 10:46:33 GMT -8
I'm 59 and medically retired. I live in Kodiak Alaska, but grew up in Oskaloosa Iowa. I too am a Viet Nam vet. My family was involved in auto racing so I spent many years in the pits for a dirt track stock car, but eventually got my chance to drive. It was through my racing that I became medically retired.
When I was young, the C&NW tracks ran north to south just a stones throw from the back of our house. This isn't just an old fashioned term; my cousin and I threw stones at the cars when it went by our house. The Rock Island was the rear boundary of my uncle's junk yard. I grew a fondness for both railroads, and the Rock Island is the foundation for my current layout. I say "my layout", but I'm extremely fortunate to have a wife that realizes that this is a great family hobby.
I'm an advocate for bicyclist's rights, but other than that, I don't do politics. My other hobbies include 1/25 & 1/24 scale cars and big rig trucks. I'm currently in the process of building a model of the local hospital's MRI trailer. They'll be using it to show people what they'll see when they enter the trailer. I guess that this is supposed to calm them.
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Post by kentuckysouthernrwy on May 1, 2012 13:50:59 GMT -8
63 year old retired Deputy Sheriff K-9 handler, drug and patrol (tracking) dog. Also 18 years as a paid on call firefighter. Graduate of Michigan State University. Currently living above my model railroad in rural South Central Michigan, approx 25 miles W of Lansing. I have a 4 acre mini ranch. My model railroading has been inspired greatly by my second wife, 10 years, I will often refer here to as 'The DOLL' we also buy junk and sell antiques. The great wife that she is SHE suggested we go to Fostoria, OH for our 10th anniversary last September.  The Kentucky Southern is an HO scale 35x28 railroad set in the area of Eastern Kentucky that is similar to the Corbin to Harlan/Hazard area. It is loosely based in the transition era with an occational Rule 1 invocation allowing Amtrak and big steam pulling double stacks. A bit conservative but prefer to keep the politics out of the forum atmosphere.  Karl |
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Post by mabloodhound on May 1, 2012 14:50:34 GMT -8
Well, I belonged to the old forum but wasn't too active. Mainly went there when I needed something about Atlas.
I see Karl (above) registered here and as we've seen a lot of Atlas folks at RR Line, I thought I'd reciprocate.
Retired PO 33 years, 15 as Chief of Police and a bloodhound owner, hence the handle. Modeling in On30 freelance 1919 era with O scale structures a big part (no layout yet). Currently making kits for On30 rolling stock to get a bit of retirement hobby funding.
I'll be stopping by as often as I can.
Oh, and considerably more conservative than Karl!
Dave Mason
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Post by KIM on May 1, 2012 15:03:15 GMT -8
Welcome gentlemen. Keep passing the word that we're here. I'd like to see as many of the "old gang" here as we can possibly get.
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Post by rhpd42002 on May 1, 2012 16:05:24 GMT -8
I'm 56, a former USMC SSgt, 11.5 yrs. as a Military Policeman, then 6 yrs. at a small town, 1st as a police officer, then 4 yrs. as Chief, before taking this small town's job as Chief. Been at this Town for 19 yrs and don't have sense enough to retire, yet!! That makes 37 years in law enforcement and counting. Too young to remember my 1st train, which was a Lionel steam loco at the ripe old age of 18 months or so, according to my dad. My grandfather had Lionel on a ping-pong table in his basement as I was growing up. As a young kid, I lived in Joliet Ill. for a time, watching those orange, center cab Baldwins across the street from the house. The IC ran through the center of my grandparents town and the Town I spent most of my youth, Kankakee, Ill. I bought my 1st HO scale stuff at a local hobby shop in Kankakee, with my hard earned paper route money. I had a layout in nearly every place I lived and my current layout takes up most of the space of a 12' x 20' building specifically used for my trains and reloading equipment. When the mood strikes, I do build WWII, 1/35th scale military models. Rather conservative myself, but like Karl, I keep it out of the Forums.  |
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Post by oztraindriver on May 1, 2012 16:42:09 GMT -8
Hi guys,
I am a 32 years old and live north of Sydney, Australia. I am a Train Driver Trainer and enjoy collecting O and HO modern trains.
Currently I am waiting for some renovations to the house which will include a custom model RR room, like everyone else need to wait until the budget will allow for it.
In HO I have built a few 8ft x 2ft modules based on Coal operations in Powder River Basin.
My O scale collection is exclusivly Atlas O 2 rail. I have no room at the moment for a layout, but have built up a good collection of Norfolk Southern equipment.
I am looking forward to a two month trip to the USA this September. This hobby shops in the USA are huge compared to the ones in Australia.
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Post by Chad on May 1, 2012 18:23:17 GMT -8
I am 56, live in San Jose CA. Yes I know taxes are too high here. I was a member of the Atlas forum and 3 or 4 years ago loved it. But in the past several years it seems to have been taken over by people that had their own agenda to complain and I stopped posting much except to poke fun at them. I am looking for a board that when a manufacture releases a model if it has errors, which they all do, might mention it but not go on and on about it and bash those who like it and bought it.
Other than that I am pretty easy going.
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Post by lucky13 on May 1, 2012 19:44:34 GMT -8
I am 43 and live in Southern Illinois and ended up staying here after graduating from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (Go Salukis!). I grew up in Central Illinois watching trains and walking the tracks on the C&IM, N&W, and the B&O. I cut my teeth on Lionel given to me by my grandparents but I am now into HO. I don't currently have a layout as I am saving up to have the house rewired and figured the electricians would have a much easier time without a layout in the basement. Not having a layout hasn't stopped my from building freight car kits and structures though. Hopefully I will get to building a layout soon as you never know when you've declared your last "some day". I subscribe to Allen McClelland's theory of "good enough" and am interested in the overall look and feel of a scene or model rather than absolute prototype fidelity. The C&IM, IC, Southern, and Wabash pique my interests today but ultimately I am interested in railroads in general, especially the transition era. I've lurked on the old Atlas forum for 12 to 15 years, and while not a member of the old gang, feel I know many of you from simply reading your posts for so long. I work by day, rest by night, and model when the mood strikes me (which isn't often from April to Sept/Oct...baseball season don't you know...and I am a Cardinals fan in particular.) It's more than anyone would probably want to know, but I figured after about 15 years of anonymity I would say hello...so "Hello!"
Jeff
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Post by Donnell Wells on May 1, 2012 21:07:53 GMT -8
It's nice to hear from many of the Atlas members that more or less remained silent on the former site. Perhaps now is the time to let your voices be heard... Welcome!
Donnell
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Post by dti406 on May 2, 2012 5:56:41 GMT -8
Hi I am 64 and still working, as a matter of fact two jobs, after being unemployed for two years, I need both to catch up on things. I am an accountant and spent most of my life in the construction industry which led me from Toledo, OH to Loveland, CO, then Westminster, CO, then Catasaqua, PA, then Anchorage, AK and finally here in the Cleveland, OH area. I also spent 4 years as an accounting instructor to Harley-Davidson dealerships and in the course of of my time there traveled to 40 different states traveling about 40 weeks out of the year. I lived next to the joint Wabash/NKP line in Toledo and model all the railroads that went through Toledo. Many of you have seen all the cars I have posted in SPF over the last couple of years. I have a large inventory of uncompleted undecorated kits and decals to go through to finish building. Unlike most I came from a liberal background and do not bring any of that into the forums. Glad to see all you fellow Atlas Forumer's. Rick J  |
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Post by el3637 on May 2, 2012 7:17:39 GMT -8
54 here. Got into the hobby too young to remember my first experience. Model railroading has always been my primary hobby, but never my only hobby. I have a couple of 60s big-body cars taking up what otherwise would have been layout space in the garage, also into photography and music. Saying I'm a musician would be an over statement. I have a bunch of instruments I mostly can't play. Politically Libertarian and pretty much sick of all the cliches. I'm generally more interested in people on either side who are talking about issues in real specifics - whether I agree with them or not - than grandstanding with sound bites.
Andy
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Post by Donnell Wells on May 2, 2012 7:27:47 GMT -8
Welcome back, Rick and Andy!
Donnell
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Post by catt on May 2, 2012 7:50:11 GMT -8
I'm 67 been model railroading since 1978 this time around.I model in N (have my own layout) HO (club has a nice layout it the construction phase),On30 )friend and myself are partners on a 8'x16' sectional layout)Z have my own showgoing layout),and finally a "garden group" with a monster sized layout.
Aside from all of that I am a retired CNC lathe operator,grand pa to 21 and great grandfather to one so far.
I enjoy all eras of railroading though my sites are quite truthfully lined up with the present day
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Post by espeenut on May 2, 2012 8:46:46 GMT -8
...ok, let me add a mini bio as well. I'm 61, originally from the Portland Oregon area and lived along the Oregon Coast as well, now residing in Victoria BC with my wife Janice. I grew up surrounded by the Southern Pacific, my grandfather was the head station agent at Portland Union Station and another great uncle was a hogger for the SP&S. One other major tidbit contributing to my life long interest in trains is the fact I was actually born on an SP passenger train en route from Portland to San Francisco way back in 1951, something that totally delighted my grandfather and actually made headlines in the local papers long ago...
...as a result of all this influence, I am very interested in and model the Espee and anything else that rolled/rolls in and out of Portland Oregon...
...oh, and I model in HO scale...
cheers,
Lorne Miller
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Post by oldjohn on May 2, 2012 9:48:10 GMT -8
Retired, 70 years old, have worked in the oil industry, in Pennsylvania, Alaska, Florida, New York, Maine, California, Massachusetts & Nova Scotia. I love trains! Model in N & G Scales, all indoors here in North Florida. I have 9 helpers in my train room, 4 Labs, 1 Golden Retriever, 1 Beagle, 1 Basset Hound, 1 Springer Spaniel, & 1 Heinz 57. It can gets crowded sometimes, but the layouts are 50" off the floor so my helpers can only help check the wiring, but they too enjoy the trains!
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Post by milgentrains on May 2, 2012 15:41:09 GMT -8
Hi, I'm 54 and unfortunatly due to complications of Diabetes  I am now retired/disabled. I have enjoyed model trains off and on since I was about 6 years old. I credit my Dad and the Lutherville-Timonium Fire Dept for my life long love of trains. Steve |
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Post by riogrande on May 2, 2012 17:35:47 GMT -8
I'm 53 and grew up an Air Force brat born in San Antonio TX, a few years in Indiana and from age 7 - 24 lived in California, mostly the Sacramento area, where I saw the SP operating in the 70's and early 80's. I grew up loving trains as a child and in my teens wanted to build a layout but didn't really have the knowledge or money to do it. Then came college and a failed marriage which stuck me in Rochester and Syracuse NY for over 20 years. Now I"m moved to Northern Virginia where I can't afford even a tiny basement to live in with my new wife of about a year. She is from the UK and is a gem, and supports my hobby and always encourges me with "some day"!
In the 80's I took a couple trips to Colorado where I got to watch the D&RGW on the way to Aspen via Glenwood Springs. That is where I decided D&RGW would be a great RR to model in HO, but I still love the SP.
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Post by powersteamguy1790 on May 2, 2012 17:56:39 GMT -8
I'm 71 and have been retired since 1994. I moved from Florida to Texas three years ago to be closer to one of my two daughters and half my grand children. I lived in Boston for over 30 years before retiring to Florida in 1994. I've been in model railroading for over 60 years. I've had large O scale and HO scale layouts before settling on N scale when I moved to Florida. I've been a member of the Atlas forum for 13 years and ran SNFF for two years in the mid 2000's The "new" JJJ&E (named after my four grand children) was started in March 2009 and about 85% of the basic scenery has been completed. It is a "U" shaped layout in a train room that is 21x12' Stay cool and run steam.......  |
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Post by conley4760 on May 3, 2012 11:56:25 GMT -8
Here's a little about myself. Between oztraindriver and myself vying for the youngest of mentioned bios, I am 30. I have lived in Oklahoma City for the past 8 years. I was married 6 years ago, and now have two boys whom are being exposed to the hobby.
I grew up in Wyoming until leaving for college. My dad started my in the hobby when I was a boy. He hired out with the BN in 85', and both have been model railroading ever since.
I model the BN/CB&Q post merger in the Wyoming area and in the process of building a layout.
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Post by mkulak on May 3, 2012 12:33:59 GMT -8
Well since I am on here now I might as well let you know a little about myself: "It was the best of times, It was the worst of times!" just kidding could not help myself! ;D I am 44 years old live in the Philadelphia Pennsylvania suburbs. I currently work for a supermarket chain in the area as overnight pack out which I like since I don't really deal with many customers at all. I have been working in retail since leaving high school and I usually enjoy it but it does have its days like many jobs. I model modern 2000+ but currently I do not have a layout and spend my time fixing up cars I pick up for the day I have one! other than that I am a die hard Transformers fan and love watching cartoons! Now here is the kicker, I am a also a Dallas Cowboys fan which is a dangerous living in my neck of the woods! No wife, I can't find a women who can stand me, but I have two dogs who are just as bad as kids! That is about everything in a nutshell, hopefully you don't think any less of me, especially any Eagles fans out there! LOL!  |
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Post by KIM on May 3, 2012 13:19:17 GMT -8
Well I do have to admit that I do like the Eagles, but then I also liked the Yardbirds, and the Byrds, and several other fowl groups.
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Post by mkulak on May 3, 2012 14:14:41 GMT -8
Would have expected you to be a Seattle Seahawk fan! another bird of course. LOL!
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Post by snrjay on May 3, 2012 17:09:44 GMT -8
Hello all. I'm 36 years old,live in southern ontario,and have been into trains for as long as i came remember. I'm currently a member of a HO scale club that protolances modern day CN and CP. We also have a fictional shortline called the Southern Niagara Railway,which happens to be the name of our club.
Its nice to be able to post on such a forum. I joined,or more accurately,tried to join the atlas forum years ago,but my registry
never went through,and even to email the site administrator one had to be logged in. But i would always check in almost every day,and always on sunday for SPF. I'm lookin forward to that here!
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Post by stevewoodward on May 5, 2012 6:22:03 GMT -8
Well, let's see. I'm 46, and am currently employed as a truck driver. Career wise I've been on quite the roller coaster ride...have been a pilot/flight instructor, computer tech and programmer, truck driver, and have worked a couple of times in the model railroad industry. Worked for Atlas for a few years in the early 90s, and was the graphic artist for Deluxe Innovations from 2007-2010. Tried to stick with the computer industry but ultimately my lack of a college degree caught up with me so I'm back driving a big rig.
Hobby wise I was an N scaler for about 20 years, then made the switch to HO around 2005. Main interests are the NYS&W, D&H and early Conrail. Starting a new around the walls layout in a spare bedroom, sort of a shortline/branchline feel to it, so I'm working on coming up with a concept for a freelanced road.
I do custom painting for one of the local hobby shops, as well as some DCC work as well.
Glad to be here amongst familiar Atlas Forum folks!
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Post by KIM on May 5, 2012 8:32:00 GMT -8
Steve, it sounds like you're one busy person.
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Post by stevewoodward on May 5, 2012 14:45:50 GMT -8
Steve, it sounds like you're one busy person. Yes I am, too busy..and yet we're barely getting by!  But it could be worse...so I just keep forging ahead and hope for the best. |
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bcrn
Full Member
Posts: 133
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Post by bcrn on May 5, 2012 16:51:50 GMT -8
hi all. i'm 52, and live in holland ia. i have a purpose built 30' by 20' building for my layout. old house w/ a hunchback style basement! not conducive to modeling. model the rock, loosely based off the line thru waterloo ia and a fictional branch from finchford ia. also interchange some cars thru the mail with a fellow ho modeler, whos a milw fan. its great to still have some place to gather
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Post by hifibri on May 5, 2012 17:06:18 GMT -8
I will be 50 at the end of summer. My Dad built me a layout hmmm, 6th grade or so. I was spoiled, it was (2) 4' x 8's in an L-Shape with loops and 2 spurs. I don't think I have a photo of it anywhere, but he got a layout book and was really into making it for me. I ultimately also got into Slot Cars, which by 8th grade I found more interesting.
What got me re-interested in the hobby was a now ex-co-worker, Tim. He set up a layout at Christmas time every year and invited me over to take a look. It took another 2 years, I was making good money, and decided I wanted to start the hobby. At the time, I had my old beloved and hand on my heart Happy Hobo, almost within walking distance. Actually, before I went to see Tim's layout, I went there and got him a Milwaukee Road box car of some kind, as I thought he'd need one.
I started with an Athearn starter kit on the floor, and quickly realized that was no good for my knees and back. I had some buddies good at carpentry, and sketched out a table. Like I said i was making good money and went fairly crazy and upgraded to DCC within the first year.
Not making that kind of money anymore, and sold probably half my stuff as of current time.
My background is Urban Planning so I liked designing my own city. It's feature industry is a meat packing plant (homage to Green Bay where I went to college and of course the Packers!), ergo the city's name. I like the DCC stuff, but enjoyed making the building models the most of all, and also lighting for running at night.. As most modellers, it isn't finished.
So much for brevity.
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Post by KIM on May 5, 2012 18:05:09 GMT -8
Bcrn, I raced at Ceder Falls a couple of times, and one time when we went up, your town was having a festival of some sort. My wife really wanted to go, so we went. I'm glad that I listened to my Dad, and took a separate car, and let the race rig go on. There was no way to turn a rig around in that crowd. It was early in the year, and the races got rained out, washed out would be more appropriate, and if we hadn't had the fun during the day, the rest of the trip would have been a waste. The next year that I raced up there, I tore the car up, and after that we stuck closer to home.
I also model the Rock Island, loosely based on the route from DesMoines to Pella, as an out and back, switching operation.
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