The short line with a long history is back in service again.
A first generation aluminum electric train… running on phenolic wheels, has quietly started a new chapter to its operating history.
The miniature railroad delivers fresh eggs to a roadside egg-stand, and alleviates having to walk 258 feet to the mailbox. Ha!
Earlier this spring, Marty Knox graciously helped me move the remaining portions of the railroad from storage to its new home.
On that early spring day, little attention was given to documenting the train’s “first run” on its new track alignment.
The Lima Switcher had been transported in a mini-van; the fully charged lead-acid storage batteries were wheeled to the locomotive in a barrow.
Children were running the right-of-way, and the grade crossing was temporally blocked by a Tonka Toy.
Most importantly, Koegel’s Vienna hotdogs were grilled.
I am in agreement with the attitude or mindset that innovation is overrated,
and all of it… is ultimately… about maintenance.
The Builder.
The Maintainer.
The “user”.
I’ve been holding course as a Maintainer since around ten-years-old.
The “user” will eventually show up. I acknowledge this fact.
What started as an avocation by my grandfather in 1946… has indeed turned into what Cadillac TV 9 & 10 reporter Lisa Giles observed back in ’89
when she broadcasted a story about the miniature railroad; “…It has become a passion for John.”
The attached [59-Years-Ago] photo was a last moment idea for this post.
Refurbishment projects are many… and this thread post is pretty much the report for now.
Staying busy,
John
Short Line with Long History in Service again
Moderator: Harold_V
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Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again
How sweet it is!
RussN
RussN
- Atkinson_Railroad
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Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again
My son Lee's six-year-old daughter "Millie" gravitated to the train during a day of running before closing out the 2021 season.
She actually asked, and wanted to run the train.
Once she became familiar with the locomotive's touchy throttle, she advanced to working the horn at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrhaoB5TB4A
The most humorous moment of the day for me was watching Millie's fancy throttle work coupling up to the box car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGi4xU-p2ko
The equipment gets put away for winter today.
Into Maintenance Mode, here I go!
John
She actually asked, and wanted to run the train.
Once she became familiar with the locomotive's touchy throttle, she advanced to working the horn at the same time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrhaoB5TB4A
The most humorous moment of the day for me was watching Millie's fancy throttle work coupling up to the box car.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGi4xU-p2ko
The equipment gets put away for winter today.
Into Maintenance Mode, here I go!
John
Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again
Awesome
She is doing great
Thank you for posting this Makes the day better !
She is doing great
Thank you for posting this Makes the day better !