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siberianmo

Service Attendant
Joined
Oct 24, 2012
Messages
167
Location
25 miles west of downtown St. Louis, MO
Ahoy Model Railroaders!

I may be new to this site but my experiences with trains (real and model) go back many decades. Anyway, here is what I hope will be a continuing series of fotos from my train room - named: CanAm. Yes, we are a Canadian-American family (for those appreciating the use of a hyphen!) and somewhere down the pike I will proide some "before and after" snaps to show you what this basement looked like prior to the building of the HO layout.

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A look at the CanAm Railway from the basement stairs.

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Views from different aspects. The dimensions are roughly 35 ft in length; 15 ft at the widest point and is a walk around design permitting me to reach everything on the layout without having to fall into the scenery!

For the curious: I used insulated foam board atop a base of plywood affixed in 4x4 sections with folding card table legs. The layout is "fixed" - meaning ain't no way I can disassemble it. Kinda like building a boat in a basement. The track is all on the level, including the point-to-point run in the mountains for my RDC's (just love those!!). The wiring is "old fashioned" with insulated rail joiners and block designs. I can operate four locomotives simultaneously, but of course with care! It took me 18 months from start to finish and of course model railroads are never finished! There have been many additions to the wall spaces - display cases, plaques, etc. But what you see on the layout is pretty much what you would see today. Finally, I am not and do not profess to be an accomplished modeler. For me, all I wanted to do was please myself - so be it. Mission accomplished!

Enjoy!
 
That looks great, I'm a retired railroader and since last April I joined Free-mo DCC club. The Will County Model Railroad Assn. Basically, we meet across from the Joliet NASCAR track. Look up my profile and you can see much more about me. Sorry, but right now I am healing from a broken wrist that limits my typing skills and length.

You are welcome to PM or friend me

Al aka oldtimer.
 
Thanx for the comments and info, Oldtimer. Looks like this forum may be a bit "off" for me in terms of model railroading. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

When I began this latest chapter in model railroading, I went with "straight DC" for cost purposes and because I truly enjoy the wiring aspect of it all. Different strokes . . . However, now that I am in my "golden years" with fingers not wanting to work right or eyesight playing tricks, DCC might have made more sense!

And of Joliett, I pass through aboard Lincoln Service from St. Louis about 3 or 4 times year mostly on my way to Chicago's Union Station for long-distance connections. One day I'm going to get off there and take the Metra into downtown; on my bucket list.

Mend well!
 
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Thanx for your positive comment, Ryan!

The layout provides me with lots of nostalgia as the theme of it is based upon passenger rail travel in Canada and the U.S.

All passenger consists are those traveled aboard by my wife and I, or me with friends or solo. In other words, if have not ridden in the real thing, it ain't allowed on my pike!

Cute little one in your avatar!

And one day when back east, I will have to travel aboard MARC - another addition to my bucket list!

A shot of my passenger platforms and yard in Can-Am City - enjoy.

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Ditto! This is an outstanding layout! I still wish I had my train sets and tracks from my youth! You'll enjoy Joliet and the Metra ride into CHI, its the route that the Zephyr used to take into CHI (and possibly the SWC also??? Memory plays tricks when you reach a certain age!!!)
 
Jim,

You really struck a chord when you mentioned having the trains of youth back . . . Oh how I wish!

Mine was a 1948 or 49 Lionel O-27 work train set featuring a Pennsy S2 (6-8-6) with a Lionel Lines whistling tender. I do know the loco was the first with MagneTraction and emitted smoke. Great looking loco. There was a Bucyrus Erie crane car and a work caboose with a searchlight in DL&W markings.

For whatever the reason, the catalogs of post war Lionel do not list my set. Seems mine was a promotional set - one made specifically for the Christmas season and simply is not a matter of ever existing. I had one and I surely know it existed!

If I could, I would love to recreate that set along with all the add-ons for what was my electric train empire. Oh well, at least the memories live on. Then again, as you said, memory can be a fading thing. I think I used to have one.

Glad you appreciate the HO layout shots.
 
My trains were all Lionel Passenger Trains (with the exception of a couple of cabosses that came with the sets! I also had steamers and diesel engines!

My biggest limitation was not having enough room for my layout and trackage since we lived in military Housing which was always small with s family of 5! I also seemed to have bad luck with transformers which seemed to burn out regulatly, perhaps from over use! LOL

My mom gave my trains away when I went into the service along with my baseball card collection since my brother had no interest in either hobby! Alas Some of what I had would be very valuable now but I'd rather have the trains and the cards! Smiles
 
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Very nice layout, Tom! Lots of work there.

I still have my trains, Lionel and Buco, mostly standard gauge (2 1/8", old when I got it) and some O gauge. Only displayed on shelves, no layout. My mother let us lay track around the house, down the hall, through the kitchen, etc. I didn't appreciate how flexible she was about fun stuff until I grew up!

Jim, I've heard of other mothers doing that ... how awful!
 
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Hi Alice,

Model and toy trains are quite a relaxing way to pass the time, especially in these "golden years." I can only wish that my original set could be found or at least recreated.

I too recall running track hither and yon, scaring the beejeebies out of the dog, etc. Was great fun.

I would love to post some more fotos, but unfortunately thanx to a new computer and OS, cannot seem to get there. Oh well, Say-La-Vee.
 
Jim,

Sorry for the delay in responding - having all kinds of "fun" with a new computer and OS.

Anyway, we seem to have shared a bittersweet moment in life. My mother did the same <censored> thing to me once I enlisted. Everything from childhood gone, gone, gone-zo; trains, Boy Scout "stuff," baseball cards - all of it. Fortunately, my high school yearbook and ring was at my sweetheart's house, otherwise those would have disappeared as well.

Had some terrific baseball cards - all of the New York City baseball team line ups from the early 1950's - most of 'em mint. However, in those times we used them in the spokes of our bike wheels or just flipped them for trading. Anyway . . .

We too lived in rather cramped spaces, but there was a small room for storage with a floor full of splinters I should add where my Lionel trains ran and ran well into the night. One day I surely hope to recreate what I had - then again, I will have to win a lottery to do so! Who ever thought, eh?
 
Back with some fotos from the Can-Am Trainroom . .. looks like my image feature is working, or at least for now!

These shots are of a shelf system layout featuring Lionel's Polar Express. There also is a rope light system for nighttime running against a star filled sky . . . Enjoy!

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:cool: Very Nice! And I had a Topps 1952 Mickey Mantle Card (they didnt make his 1951 Rookie Year Cardsince he came out of Nowhere as a Spring Sensation!) which is Very Valuable and would probably pay for a Nice Train Layout and Many LD Train Trips if Sold! :( I often joke with my Mom that she Owes me Big Time! ^_^
 
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Jim,

I saw Mickey Mantle at Yankee Stadium in his major league debut - yes, sitting in left field with a bunch of school chums. I was a dyed in the wool Brooklyn Dodgers fan, but there just was something about old Yankee Stadium. Did not care much for the Giants - hated rivals in the Polo Grounds. Oh those were special times, for sure.

Topps baseball cards and that sickenly sweet bubble gum. I think today my fillings would leave the teeth if I popped any of that into my mouth. Memories.

And yes, those cards of old would be quite the retirement nest egg, if only . . .

No joking for me regarding what my mother did. Long story and not for the internet.

Just sent back a brand new Dell 'puter that has been leading me around by the nose-ring. Damned thing. No more - no more. Ordered an iMac desktop today. Guess I luv the pain of learning!

Later . . .
 
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Know what you mean about Computer Puzles/ W bush knows more about them than me! ^_^ I have an Old Dell PC that has and XP OS and I guess it'll be an antique after next Week when Microsoft gives it the old Kiss Off! i know people rave about Apple Products but I cant afford any and guess Ill just muddle through with my old Dell and my New Moto G Smartphone that Im still trying to learn how to use! :help:

I was stationed in New London, Conn in 63-64 and got to ride the New have Railroad to NYC for Free (in Uniform) and spent many Pleasamt Afternoons at the Old Yankee Stadium (there used to be Day Games back in Ancient Times! :giggle: )and saw the yanks at the End of their Dynasty (Mickey got hurt all the time, Roger Maris was a Bitter Shell of what he had been thanks to the Hatchet Press and Moron Fans and Yogi/Whitey etc. were over the Hill!) But it was a Magnificent Stadium for sure!

The "Poiio Grounds" (that what they called this Ancient Park since it was in such Poor Shape by then!) had the happless NY Mess, those Loveable Losers made up of Has Beens (mostly Old Dodger and Giants), Never Weres and assorted Characters! Casey Stengel used top fall asleep during games and the story went that one day he woke up and said "How many runs do we have?" The answer was 15!!! (Very Rare!) and Casey said: "Are we Ahead??" :lol: Never got to see Ebbets Field Alas, it was a Housing Project by then!!! Ah yes, Memories indeed!!!!!!!! Baseball and Trains, my First Loves!!!! :wub:
 
Jim,

Covered a bit of ground with that last one . . .

I was stationed in Groton, CT in 1964-67 - in fact we used to play the Sub Base team in softball. I guess we were as close to a beer league as one can get - E6/E7 up only. On a bet, I went through that escape training tank they had. Couldn't do it today, amazed I did it then. Anyway, we lived in Norwich; nice town. Sub sailors were a great bunch to be around.

Rode the NH between Grand Central and New London for about a six month stretch in 1957 while going to A school in Groton. Never did travel it on my tour as an instructor though - by then had 2 kids with 1 on the way; pumped gas at night to make ends meet. The good old daze? Yeah, right.

Was stationed in lower Manhattan at our RCC in the old Custom's House. Saw the parade for the Mets when they came to town. Some great used-to-be's, on some awful teams. Spent a few nights at the Polo Grounds back then watching them fall apart. Then it all came together with the Miracle Mets! I seriously doubt Baltimore was ever the same after that one.

Grandparents had a home not that far from Ebetts Field - either walk or take the streetcar (Trolley Dodgers come to mind?) Anyway, lived and died with that bunch. Damned Yankees.

If ever a player was maligned by hometown fans and press, Roger Maris surely must lead the pack. What a damned shame. Anyway, he was a huge success here in St. Louis - not so much for the on field stuff, but as a man.

Last day game I saw at Yankee Stadium was when Ted Williams socked a homer to end his reign of terror against NY. Had great seats (free in uniform) about 25-30 rows behind home plate. Good times.'

My Dell PC with XP was and is working just fine. However, I thougt about what to do and sprung for a new Dell with WIN7. Very bad choice, terrible choice. They replaced it with WIN8 (no touch) and it was not any better. Returned the damned thing within the 30 day window and sprung for an iMac. Really overpriced, but, but did it anyway.

Now what to do with my Laptop and Netbook, both XP. Unbelievable how this technology trap grabs one by tne wallet.

Always like it in Austin - never really spent much time there, but back when I was "somebody" (aka: before retirement) spent some time there with law enforcement folks. Fast forward to these times, I pass through on my twice yearly jaunts aboard the Texas Eagle. Wish the stop was a bit longer.

And more on Texas: Back in the late 1940's one of my uncles worked an honest-to-goodness ranch in Ft. Worth. I spent a couple (as in two) weeks down there and aside from being hotter than the shades of Hell, was quite an experience. Never did get over my trepidation around horses, like 'em but they are intimidating animals. Anyway, when I re-visited Ft. Worth after a trip down on the Heartland Flyer from Oklahoma City, the layover for the northbound Eagle was long enough to prowl the streets. Sure has grown a lot since I first saw it.

Enough . . .

Gotta get the pooch out in between our severe thunderboomers . . .
 
Greetings from mid-continent USA where another glorious morning is about to turn to "crap" as a storm front approaches! This beats yard work, so here are some more train room fotos for those who enjoy such things . . . These are current fotos, although everything previously shown on the layout(s) are unchanged from the dates indicated.

I am still trying to figure out how to post thumbnails for enlarging with descriptions . . . however with a new computer, this web site and my advanced age - it is a sloooooow go. Sorry 'bout that.

Also noticed that a few of my snaps have a "blur" not appearing in my albums . . . hmmmmm, something else to add to my to-do-list! :angry:

Enjoy!

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