This little caboose is a very special caboose. It started out as a new old stock Lionel Lines red animated caboose. The brakeman slides out off the rear platform as his lantern illuminates. Five years ago or so, I was just starting in 3-rail trains. Everyday I learned something new, for me it was exciting. For others in the hobby I was a pest. I probably posted five or more questions everyday. I don’t know how many people blocked me.
After about a month, I started noticing that one person was always willing to answer my questions with what I found to be accurate information. This person seemed to know everything about trains. I honestly thought I struck gold finding this person to help me. His name was Harry.
We had similar tastes in railroads. Being from Pittsburgh, raised in a millworker’s household, I was mainly interested in the Pennsylvania Railroad and, as many know Harry was THE authority on that “Standard of the World” line.
Back to this little caboose. I really only wanted Pennsy stuff (it’s still my main interest). So after finding this caboose on Craigslist ( of all places) I asked if it was possible to change my little red Lionel Lines caboose to Pennsylvania. Harry answered with an enthusiastic yes and I was introduced to Henning’s train store. I sent my caboose in and Harry repainted and renamed it. He charged a modest fee and now it’s almost always tiding the rails on my layout.
In this hobby, one can find many participants but few with the enthusiasm, experience and expertise of Harry Henning III. He was accessible, skilled, knowledgeable, gracious, and above all helpful. Harry’s passing leaves a hole, no, an abyss in this hobby that may never be filled.
Thank you Harry. See you at the portal on the other side of the mountain.