Does anyone know the status of Dennis Waldron and Just Trains in Sussex New Jersey? The store website is not in operation.
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Thank you Mike, this is very sad, he was always very helpful. I sent him a locomotive for repair last June and he had been working on it. He will be missed.
Agreed. He will definitely be missed.
At the end of last year I placed a small parts order from Dennis's *-**y store, which, given what I read here, was probably one of the last transactions through that outlet. I had great service, fast shipping and no problems what so ever. A good experience.
Shortly thereafter the online storefront was disconnected and that was that. A loss of another good train guy who will be missed. Sorry to hear of this.. Dennis RIP.
John
Hello all,
Len Carparelli here.
An update on Dennis Waldron of Just Trains in Sussex NJ:
As most of you know, Dennis passed away last December after a long bout with kidney disease. My wife RuthAnn and I are helping his widow, Sharen, fulfill all the outstanding orders. Because Sharen has very little knowledge of trains and parts, the process is therefore taking some time. If you have an order with Just Trains, please be patient. Sharen is doing her best, and any orders that can't be filled will be refunded.
Because Sharen was unable to access the web site and EBay store, orders kept coming in until she was able to finally shut it down earlier this month with some help from an outside computer specialist. Also, keep in mind that Dennis was very ill months before he passed, so we found orders from as early as August & September of last year- and on- all of which were languishing in the 'inbox' until we were able to get there a few weeks ago to start sorting things out.
Once all outstanding orders have been filled, Sharen has said that the business will close permanently. I'd previously entertained the idea of purchasing Dennis' business and operating it myself, but, unfortunately, that's off the table. It's entirely too much for me to take on, and operate my restoration business, in addition to the Nyerges screw and small parts business - there's simply just not enough time in the day.
Sharen has begun mailing back orders already. Once we've completed processing all the orders, Sharen will mail the remainder, and, sadly, that'll be it for our participation with Just Trains. Naturally, we wish that Dennis rest in peace, and of course we wish only the best for Sharen as she moves on with her life. Should any new information arise, I will post it for you all just as soon as I hear..
In the meantime, if you have any questions that I can help you with regarding Just Trains, feel free to email me any time at lionellennyrestoration@gmail.com. Bear with me, though; I answer all my emails, but sometimes i am unable to do so on the same day I receive them.
Many thanks to all, and to Sharen's 'Just Trains' clients, an extra 'thank you' for your kindness and patience during this trying time for her..
Sincerely,
Len Carparelli
L& L Model Train Restoration
Len, you deserve a lot of credit for helping out like that. It's a wonderful thing for a friend to do. My hat's off to you.
I would like to thank Sharen Waldren and Len Carparelli. I sent a locomotive to Dennis Waldren at Just Trains in Sussex, NJ for repair last June. Unfortunately Dennis was very ill and, unlike my dealings with him in the past, communication with him was spotty at best. Sadly Dennis eventually passed away leaving Just Trains in a chaotic state. Fortunately, Sharen has worked to make things right despite having no experience with trains.
Len Carparelli of L&L Model Train Restoration has stepped up to help Sharen and Just Trains customers. Len travelled on his off days to Dennis’s shop to help fill orders. He found my locomotive amid the chaos in the shop, took it to his business, fixed it (and then some), and sent it back to me. He took no remuneration for himself and only asked me, if I wanted, to send a very nominal payment to Sharen instead. All the while he stayed in touch with me by email and phone.
I am very grateful to Len and Sharen! Joe (above) is right Len deserves a lot of credit for helping out.
Even though I have nothing waiting from Just Trains, I want to say a big "Thank You!" to Len for stepping up and helping out. I also appreciate the communication effort. Kudos to Len! More people need to be like this.
Chris
LVHR
Thanks jjj, Chris, and all, for the kind words.
We are, after all, one extended community brought together by our love of model railroading. I've dealt with Dennis extensively since 1989, and sure, we've had a few 'dust-ups' during that time, but by and large, our relationship was mutually beneficial. The least I could do was help his widow in her time of need.
Also, keep in mind that Dennis was a military veteran with two tours of duty in Vietnam, and his health was never great. He may have been exposed to Agent Orange during that time, as well. I remember how I used to yell at him constantly whenever he'd light up a cigarette, as he was a two-to-three pack a day guy. He would just smirk with a sly grin and tell me he was giving them up next week, which of course, he never did.
Dennis was also a terrific repair guy, and his knowledge of LIONEL trains and parts with their correct corresponding part numbers, was, really almost second to none. I learned a lot from many Lionel guys that came before me, and we must remember that our community is aging. Both my wife RuthAnn and I are happy to assist Sharen during this very difficult time for her.
In any event, I am working on all of Dennis' unfinished repairs, so bear with me if you have one outstanding. With my own backlog of restorations, I'm trying to complete at least two or three each week.
Thanks to one and all.
- Lenny
