Alex Malliae, a True Talent Among Us

He certainly is a craftsman, some of his stuff looks truly amazing!  He's a really nice guy as well, a double bonus.

His projects posted on the forum during construction and the finished product have been awesome.

Alex is a good guy. I enjoy his posts and he has a wonderful layout as well. 

His is a great guy, and he builds great stuff, but his wife's cooking is even better!!

I have preliminary photos of Alex's layout and am planning to feature it (and him) in one of the early 2014 issues of the magazine.  He certainly does have a fine looking railroad, and I hope to be able to visit it in person at some point in the future.  I have heard a number of good comments about Dina's cooking, as well. 

Both he and his wife are great people to know. You couldn't find any nicer people.

Wow, I thank all of you guys for these beautiful words.  I'm honored to have made such great friends on this forum and truly appreciate all these nice comments. 

 

I must say without this awesome forum and the great members and great friends that I've learned from, I wouldn't have the opportunity or knowledge to do what I've been doing. I love building and learning from everyone and am truly blessed to be able to do what I enjoy so much.  Now, reading all these comments makes me feel even more blessed.  Thank you all and thank you to the OGR forum. 

 

Thanks, Alex

Watch out guys.....his prices for buildings are going to go through the roof!!!!

 

Seriously though, Alex is a man of great talent.  I first met Alex and Dina when I bought something for $20 from him on eBay and realized he lived only a few miles from me on Staten Island.  I arranged to meet him at his house to pick up the item.  We spoke for a few minutes and he invited me in to see his layout.  I walked down to his basement and was blown away.  The quality and detail of his work was beyond what I had ever seen in person.  A while later he had a few of us over and what I remember most was Scrapiron walking in.  Four trains were running and he exclaimed....It's amazing, I'm don't know where the next train is going to come from.  They just seem to appear. 

 

Alex's work is top notch and many of you (and the NJ Hi-Railers) have benefited from his talent.  I can't imagine having the skill and patience to do the work he does.  I'm truly jealous!

 

If I ever get a nice sized layout up and running I know who I'm going to for buildings!  Hope I can get that Staten Island discount!!!!

 

 

Alex is truly one of the nicest folks I have met in the hobby.  Early on, a few years back (boy does time fly!) I got to know Alex through this forum and as a member of our Mid America 3-Railers group.  Through his enthusiasm, he recruited a lot of folks into our group just as he has done here on the OGR forum.  

 

While I have not met him in person yet, and that day will come soon, just talking to him via e-mail and over the phone makes one feel good.  He has a personality that makes friends immediately....a rare one in a million true good Samaritan that always gives to others because he plain enjoys making those around him happy.  Take a look at the last line in his signature....it says it all!!  

 

Alex....LaKeeta and I are so proud to have you and Dina as our friends....we are the ones that are truly blessed.  Thank you for all that you do for all of us in the hobby....

 

Thanks,

Alan

I 100% agree.  I have a bunch of his buildings on my layout and he is building my car ferry that will be done in July.  Everyone of his buildings is very well done and he is a true craftsman.  I plan on driving out to NY to meet him in July and pick up the car ferry.  

Alex is one of those talents that we enjoy here that inspire all of us to reach a little higher in our own projects.

 

As for him being featured in the OGR mag, that would be a real plus.

Ginny and I are trying to get another invitation back to Alex and Dina's house.

The railroad is great, but the real highlights are Dina's cooking and the secret refrigerator Alex has in the basement.

 

Thank you Allan.  I'm looking forward to the layout feature and am honored that I was considered. It really means a lot to me.   You are welcome to come visit my layout any time.  Planning to have another get together this summer, so hopefully you will be able to attend. I will let you know well in advance .

 

Dina is a great cook,  and I wanted to thank you guys for always mentioning her too. 

 

Thanks, Alex

Thank you all again. I'm  so lucky to be part of such a great hobby with such great friends and this awesome forum .  Your posts are heartfelt and touching and some funny ones too. 

 

I will be planning another get together sometime this summer and will let you all know the date soon .  You are all invited and, YES, Dina will be cooking up an Italian feast with awesome dessert afterwards.

 

Thanks again Alex & Dina

 

P.S. Eliot post the video of you and Ben looking in my refrigerator

 

Not only is he a great talent, but he's a great guy. If you get the opportunity to talk to Alex for any length of time, you find out that he's a person with a great attitude about life's issues.

 

In addition to which, he likes Elvis and country music.

 

Gerry

I too would like to sing the praises of Alex. Besides being an incredibly talented modeler, he is a very caring gentleman who will go above and beyond in order to help others. Last year he went way out of his way to find, and then send to me, some vehicles for my layout. I am eternally grateful to him for this act of kindness. 

Planning to have another get together this summer, so hopefully you will be able to attend. I will let you know well in advance .

 

For real !!!,  I 'm saying,  I 'd love to

FLY !!! up

thanks

Alex has been great to work with on some of the models we have done.

This post sounds like a nomination for O Gauge Forum President, Who will second that.

 

Alan Graziano

The best thing about this hobby.....is the people become acquainted with....Alex is one of the good guys and a special talent!

 

 

Peter

Alan...I will second and third and fourth that!!

 

Alan

Might have to sample some of this when I am up there to see him!

Although I have never met him he certainly helped me a couple of times with minor problems which would have taken me forever without his help. I really appreciate his help & I'm not the only one who has benefited from his expertise. Thank you Alex.

Let me just add that Alex and his wife Dina are great people. I have a couple of his buildings and they are great, what a talent! 

 

Thanks Alex for helping me out. If you have a open house I'll be there if at all possible.

I never met Alex but talk to him on the phone a couple of times and bought a mth zcontroller off of him it was great controller and i come home one day noticed a package on my porch and open it up to my surprize Alex sent me another mth zcontroller and a nice firetruck.  

I'm certainly up for the next Alex open house.

 

WOW!!!! Ok, ok lets all calm down.

 

OGR Forum President?

Staten Island Brew Master?

 

I don't know about any of that, all I can tell you is that I spoke to Dina and she said that she's gonna put in double doors so Alex could get to the basement because his head is gonna be so big after reading all this. LOL!!!

 

That being said let me tell you something about Alex and Dina. I have been lucky enough to know both of them since the late 80's. To say the least Alex and I are great friends and yes Dina is a terrific cook. Not to mention she's a great person.

 

I have never seen Alex say "no" to anyone if they asked him for help. He is a great person and a great friend. He and I worked for the same car dealership for many years. He worked in the Parts Department and I worked in the Service Department then later in Sales. As both of our abilities and experience grew so did our responsibilities and positons in the dealership. Alex has never changed. He was always the "GO TO GUY" whenever you needed something done or needed to find that elusive item. He was always very organized and persistent. As far as I was concerned there could be no better person to work with and better to be friends with.

 

He was shy about sharing his ability with the forum before he joined. He was thinking his abilities weren't as good as some. I encouraged him to join the forum so he could get some ideas and interact with us. It was a process to say the least. LOL! He is a very humble guy when it comes to his abilities and his handy work. As you can all see his abilities have influenced alot of us and this forum.

 

I for one cannot wait to see him, Dina, and their beautiful layout featured in OGR Magazine. To me no one deserves it more. I am also very proud to call him friend.

 

You desreve it buddy,

Mike R

Well over a year ago, I noticed Alex's creative talents. We emailed back and forth several times, and I incorporated some of his fine ideas on my layout. Needless to say, we quickly became email-friends.

 

He appeared to be a nice guy alright, and this was confirmed when my wife Judy and I had the pleasure of meeting him and his dad at York last October - we sure had a great time with them. We are looking forward to meeting them again, and Dina.

 

Alex

I thank you all again for these wonderful comments, I'm so lucky to have friends like all of you in this awesome hobby.

 

THANK YOU ALL

 

Alex

Alex, how is the construction of the double doors to the train room coming?  

I have never met Alex in person but I did have the opportunity to talk with him on the telephone.  I was asking what I know were embarrisingly simple questions regarding tips on building the Korber radio tower.  

 

Unlike Alex who obviously has crazy skills and imagination, I was robbed at birth of any real model building genes.  Therefore, what comes so easy to folks like Alex are an obstacle for me.  

 

It was obvious Alex loves what he does and loves helping people even more.  I think folks like him are one of the things that help make this hobby so much fun for me, and I am sure, many others.  

 

It was a pleasure meeting him via phone and I hope to bump into him one day at York.  

 

Thanks,

Ed

 

BTW - I am about 1/2 way thru putting the radio tower togther and it is coming out amazing well considering it is me putting it together!  Thanks Alex

Alex is a true craftsman!  I love watching his projects come together. 

 

Most importantly though, he is a relentless positive force on this forum.

I have seen some of hisexcellent work posted on this Forum and they definitely are works of art. But the more important thing is Alex himself. He always seems to have something nice to say about a fellow Forumite or the Forumite's trains. Thank you Alex!

I have a few Alex-made items on my layout.  I always make sure folks see that they are hand made and not a kit.  Nothing wrong with kits (as Alex does a great job there as well), but I like the idea that he created the items I have.  Thanks again Alex for your participation on the forum, for the great pieces of work and willing to share your talents.

 

 

I thank you all again for these beautiful and kind words.

I'm honored!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

I THANK ALL OF YOU !!!!!!!!!!

Alex

Your Welcome Alex!!!!!

Hey Alex! When your OGR Magazine article comes out next year, can I get my copy autographed?

To echo many above Alex is a gifted craftsman.  While I don't him as well as most here I did meet him quickly at Trainstock this year.  A result of seeing some his handiwork on the NJHR layout has resulted in several conversations here on the forum with me questioning his techniques.  His greatest gift is his desire to share his gifts with any one who cares to ask for help or advice.  I have never posted a question for him that

didn't receive a timely, courteous, friendly and very informative response.

 

Joe

I have never met Alex but have talked to him on the phone. Knowing what he did for fellow forum members who lost everything because of Hurricane Sandy, you can tell he's stand guy. I think his modeling skills speak for themselves.

 

Bill

I was going to say " The applicant is a bum" but I think everybody except Alex and Mike would take that wrong.  Alex is a great guy.  All those Staten Islanders are.