Short Line with Long History in Service again

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Atkinson_Railroad
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Joined: Mon Jun 08, 2015 6:27 pm
Location: Michigan
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Short Line with Long History in Service again

Post by Atkinson_Railroad »

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
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Newaygo Division First Run
Newaygo Division First Run
59-Years-Ago
59-Years-Ago
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NP317
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Location: Northern Oregon, USA

Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again

Post by NP317 »

How sweet it is!
RussN
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Atkinson_Railroad
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Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again

Post by Atkinson_Railroad »

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
thej611
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Joined: Mon Jul 08, 2019 11:26 am

Re: Short Line with Long History in Service again

Post by thej611 »

Awesome
She is doing great

Thank you for posting this Makes the day better !
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