• From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Topic: Slow Train in my basement

My father-in-law has been a model train/railroad buff forever.
About 6 months ago my wife decided she wanted to carry on the tradition by building a layout in our basement.
Part of her idea was to incorporate things from various family members' hobbies, interests, careers, etc. (camping, baseball, canoeing, painting, etc.). 
I'm proud of all the work and creativity she put into this and thought I'd share.
Keep an eye on the end of the video...for a cameo appearance by Joe:


http://youtu.be/J1NKnoMY9x0

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Re: Slow Train in my basement

Holy crap! That is amazing! I can't even imagine the amount of time she must have put into this. Unbelievable attention to detail. Love the campground with the little campfires burning. We have two old "O" gauge Lionel sets, one from the early '40's that belonged to my Dad and one from around 1915 that belonged to my grandfather. I have set the tracks up on occasion, and the kids and I would put in buildings we made out of legos.I'm just happy remembering how to connect all the wires to the transformer the proper way. Usually end up having to call my Dad for consultation on it. Invariably the train will derail and sparks will fly, and there is a smoky smell from the old transformer. Pretty exciting at times. Kind of like Gomez from the Adams Family. I can't even imagine doing a whole set up like your wife did. That really is quite the accomplishment!

  • Rocket
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: Slow Train in my basement

WOW! So cool  Nice Jane!  The only thing I figure was missing (given the retro 50's ish look) was an U.F.O. zipping overhead!!! lol 

Btw, If anyone is inclined to "really" be into model railroading and visiting San Diego, we have a museum dedicated to the art in our Balboa Park.  It started out lame years ago, but it is now one of the largest in the world and pretty neat.


Rock ON & Keep the Faith ON Track,
Rocket

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4 Reply by nmagcorn (edited by nmagcorn 2013-10-13 19:42:47)

  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Re: Slow Train in my basement

I grew up in Three Bridges NJ which is a tiny little village in west central Jersey. It's current claim to fame is the world's largest model railroad display called "Northlandz". When I was a kid I remember them bussing people in from all over to see it when it was at this guy's house. Then he had a huge building built for it. It really is beyond anything you can imagine. It is just so over the top, but if anyone happens to find themselves in Hunterdon County, NJ, check it out.
http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-demo … e_wor.html

Have to say, though, that I really prefer Bill's wife's layout. Plus it has that cool billboard of Joe smile

  • From: Wisconsin
  • Registered: 2011-04-03
  • Posts: 593

Re: Slow Train in my basement

Amazing is right! What a cool and fun hobby!

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6 Reply by samjp4 (edited by samjp4 2013-10-13 20:37:46)

  • From: Massachusetts
  • Registered: 2007-10-23
  • Posts: 1,929

Re: Slow Train in my basement

We were really into this when the kids were younger.  Unfortunately my husband kept going for more track and the scenery could never keep up.  Hasn't been used in a long time, but with a grandson coming along early next year I hope it will be put back in service.  It can be a lot of fun.

Nice job Jane and Bill.  Love the Joe billboard.  Has your back recovered from crawling around under the table?

Sandy

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACkmg3Y64_s

"There's a lot of people that are in so much of a hurry to be, I guess, to be famous or that they don't want to take the time to learn to play and do all that.They'd rather just knock it down off a computer and maybe get on a game show and get famous..That's fine if that's what you want to do.
"We're more old school than that. We like creating the sounds."  - Tom Petty
  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Slow Train in my basement

I've watched that other video a few times before today Sandy...very cool!

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"
  • From: Lexington, Kentucky
  • Registered: 2012-04-07
  • Posts: 977

Re: Slow Train in my basement

Thanks for sharing, that is awesome, love the canoes smile  She did all that in just 6 months? Amazing, saw Joe at the end, very clever


That's incredible! If you ever hear me saying I'll be in Hamburg, remind me to go see it wink

samjp4 wrote:

Sandy

Check this out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACkmg3Y64_s

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  • RickB
  • RickB
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  • Registered: 2009-10-30
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Re: Slow Train in my basement

Model trains were part of my childhood too. Lionel O gauge one Christmas. I remember little pills that you could put in the smokestack and it would heat and make puffs as it went round and round. That is a great rig setup in the basement Bill. Kudos to Jane. I love it.
Rick

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  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Slow Train in my basement

This is just awesome.   We both love trains.   We were in Palm Springs CA at something called "The Living Desert and they had a train set up that was kind of cheesy but cool with spots for Grand Canyon etc.  The best one I have seen is in your neck of the woods at Museum of Science and Industry.  Totally cool.  Thanks for sharing

  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
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Re: Slow Train in my basement

Just so cool Bill thanks for sharing.Anyway to incorporate a JB Bobblehead in the little town there?Or Some speaker coming out of a building playing the song Slow Train ! Just an idea.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

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12 Reply by Rocket (edited by Rocket 2013-10-14 16:44:28)

  • Rocket
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  • From: San Francisco
  • Registered: 2006-04-26
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Re: Slow Train in my basement

gary wrote:

Just so cool Bill thanks for sharing.Anyway to incorporate a JB Bobblehead in the little town there?Or Some speaker coming out of a building playing the song Slow Train ! Just an idea.

Build a prison.  And, did I overlook a cemetary? yikes lol  How about a house of blues delights?  Then a red house on a hill, then...

Jest skidding 'round the bends...


Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket

"He still doesn't charge for mistakes! wink"
http://jbonamassa.com/tour-dates/
"Everybody wants ta get inta the act!"
“Now, this isn’t your ordinary party crowd, here.  I mean, there are professionals in here.”
  • Registered: 2012-05-31
  • Posts: 1,308

Re: Slow Train in my basement

Rocket wrote:
gary wrote:

Just so cool Bill thanks for sharing.Anyway to incorporate a JB Bobblehead in the little town there?Or Some speaker coming out of a building playing the song Slow Train ! Just an idea.

Build a prison.  And, did I overlook a cemetary? yikes lol  How about a house of blues delights?  Then a red house on a hill, then...

Jest skidding 'round the bends...


Rock ON & Keep the Faith,
Rocket


love you Rocket, you say the funny things I wish I could come up with. tongue

  • Registered: 2008-06-16
  • Posts: 4,021

Re: Slow Train in my basement

that is too cool Bill, congrats to both of you. Looks like it should be entered in some kind of contest. The vintage autos are great.

As corn through a goose, so are the days of our lives

15 Reply by Sirona (edited by Sirona 2013-10-15 13:24:49)

  • From: Vermont
  • Registered: 2013-08-30
  • Posts: 126

Re: Slow Train in my basement

Way cool!  I used to collect one of those Department 56 Villages and watching the video just brought that all back.  Haven't set up the town in years but may need too come Christmas just for kicks. I had a little train for it but nothing major.

https://live365.com/station/a72706

5/16/14 Hampton Beach, NH (First Joe show!)
1/15/16 Burlington, VT

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  • gary
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  • From: Palatine Illinois by Chicago
  • Registered: 2006-08-25
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Re: Slow Train in my basement

Great ideas Rocket.Now if Bill could overtake the little village and turn it into Bonamassaville!Complete with Crossroads,Juke joint,and Diet Coke plant!Not to mention a killer guitar shop.

Your rock candy baby
Your hard sweet and sticky

gary's Website