Haven’t got any up dates on his huge layout...I think he’s in Jersey..thanks
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Elliot - last visit August 18th
Here's the layout thread:
He is in Minnesota. I have missed his posts as well.
Stillwater, MN. Elliot Feinberg, who started the Entertrainment Exhibit in the Mall of America. He was quite active in the NMRA during recent years. Hope he is managing well in these challenging times.
You guys are right , that's a long time for him to not have posted.
I to hope he is ok. Maybe some one close to him will give us a update here.
Larry
I also hope he is okay. I have enjoyed following his layout thread.
Elliot, if you’re up to it, update us on how you’re doing.
For forum members, please remember that you can visit a member’s profile page, as Mark Boyce did above, to get a sense of how active he or she has been recently.
Also, by using them “at” sign followed by the member user name, you can send them a notification about a thread such as this one. That’s better than asking other members to guess what’s up.
@Jim R. posted:Elliot, if you’re up to it, update us on how you’re doing.
For forum members, please remember that you can visit a member’s profile page, as Mark Boyce did above, to get a sense of how active he or she has been recently.
Also, by using them “at” sign followed by the member user name, you can send them a notification about a thread such as this one. That’s better than asking other members to guess what’s up.
Jim has a firm grasp of how the forum works, and how to get a person's attention.
As for the subject of this topic, I have not set foot in the train room in well over a year. All train related activities have stopped. The main reason for this is my health. The neuropathy in my hands is so severe, I have trouble with a knife and fork, let alone modeling tools. My other problem is my knees. I injured the left one about three years ago, when I tripped over an electrical cord, and landed on the bare concrete. The following year, I did the right one, when I did a toe plant into the floor while putting away groceries.
As if all of that wasn't enough, fourteen weeks ago, I fell again. This time was the worst. I ended up with a compound fracture of both the right tibia and fibula. That's when the bone sticks out through the skin. For football fans, think Dak Prescott, or if you're old school, Joe Theismann.
There was a silver lining to having neuropathy in my legs, I heard the bones snap, but never felt any pain. The ambulance crew, sheriff's deputies, and ER staff, couldn't believe it. The first day in the hospital, I took a couple rounds of Tylenol, but that was it.
After a couple nights in the hospital, they shipped me off to rehab for two and a half weeks. I was lucky to have dodged Covid while I was there. They started getting cases just after I went home.
We had to rent a ramp, so I could get in the house in my wheel chair. One day, about five weeks ago, it snowed. That was the day I relearned how to get up the steps in the garage. I'm getting around pretty well now, but I still have to wear a boot 24/7. I'm pretty sure the bones are healed. The problem is the skin, that's still a mess. Of course I can't drive, because it's my right leg.
I haven't been through a metal detector since I did this, but I'm curious if all this metal would set it off, cause there is a bunch of it, rods and plates and pins and screws.
Well, there you have it, straight from the horse's mouth. No more guessing required.
Without anything train related to talk about, I don't plan to hang out here anymore. It has been a difficult decision to give it up, but I just can't do it anymore. Sorry guys, it was fun while it lasted.
Elliot, thanks for the update for the many folks on here who have been concerned about you. I really appreciate the chance I had to meet you and see your layout in 2019. Wishing you the very best, and hope that you'll check in occasionally.
Elliot, Thank you so much for giving us an update. I had another train friend years ago who had to give up the hobby because of neuropathy. I am so sorry for your health misfortunes! I will certainly miss you, but I understand completely. I'll continue to keep you in my prayers.
I had the pleasure of meeting Elliott a couple years ago. Our vehicle broke down and he came and picked us up from the repair center and entertained us for a couple hours, which I greatly appreciated. Thanks again for the tour and having gotten to meet you. Hope things turn around
Its good to hear from you Elliott, but sorry to hear your giving up on the hobby. After all that hard work and interesting control system, cameras, signals, investment (time and $$$) +++.
I hope your health improves and your interest in completing this project returns.
All the best,
Joe
Elliot,
Thanks for taking us along for the ride during your layout build. I'm sorry to hear about your medical issues. You are in our prayers. Stay positive.
Elliott if you are reading this, know I truly help your health improves. I have not had the misfortune of a compound fracture, but I have previously royally damaged my lower right leg and ankle.
I didn't feel much either, because I was young and stupid, but mostly because I was drunk of my rear end. It was 20 years ago but I still have some interesting scars myself.
Also, my fibula still has a plate and about 10 screws in it. To answer your question on metal detectors, the answer is "it depends." I had the same question when I was healing. At the time I regularly attended meetings at the county courthouse where I lived. It turns out that metal detectors have adjustable intensity and this place had a reputation for operating theirs at maximum settings. The walk through didn't set it off and neither have multiple airport detectors since. But when they ran the hand held machine right over the scars it did go off. In my case the scars are pretty self explanatory.
I hope you feel well mentally. I know neuropathy is no joke. My father started losing function in has hands and arms towards the end of his life, however he was such a private person he waited too long to seek help. It turns out he had a condition that may have been treatable. Based on what you've posted before I don't believe this is happening with you, it's just a little cathartic for me to type it out.
If you change your mind, your wit and experience will always be welcome here. Take care my friend. I wish all the best to you and your family.
John Z
Elliot, I am very sorry to hear of your continuing health problems. I sincerely hope that things get better for you. I very much enjoyed following the progress on your layout and I am sorry to hear that has come to an end.
Elliot, you will dearly be missed on this forum but you can always finish your layout in your mind. Wish you the best. Don
Elliot, I’m sorry to here about your issues. I really enjoyed seeing and reading your monthly updates.
I’m sincerely wishing you the best.
I knew it must be serious for you not to be involved with the forum for so long. But it was worse than I feared. Take care of yourself, Elliot. While the hobby will miss the participation of such a devotee, we appreciate all your contributions to date and hope you eventually recover as fully as you can.
Good to see your post but sorry to hear about your health status. I called the other day and left a message. Would be fun to talk/see you when you feel up to talking or having company. Until then, keep the faith and stay healthy! Hi to Tammy!
Cheers, Dave
Elliot, good to hear from you but sorry to hear about your health problems. You have your priorities right. Take care of yourself and know that you have a lot of friends here that care about you. Best of luck buddy.
Elliot very sorry to read about your health problems. You are in our prayers.
Thank you for the years of reading about your layout and progress. You have been an inspiration to many people whom you allowed to accompany you on the journey. We are all better for it and learned so much.
Best wishes in all that you do my friend. I pray that the Lord is with you.
Bill
Elliot. my best wishes for continued recovery.
I've been following your work since your 1st TM video, many years ago.....and, have enjoyed it all!
Peter
Elliot, it is upsetting to read of your worsening neuropathy and your serious falls. While you are leaving us I will hold out hope that your condition may improve enough that you may be able to run some trains and find some joy in this hobby you so clearly love.
Add me to the list of well wishers Elliot.
I joined the forum about 4 years ago and quickly found your thread and was hooked. Reading your monthly updates was inspiring and educational as well. The first time I saw the giant helix you built, my jaw hit the floor. Your run up to the TCA (?), NMRA (?), convention was a herculean task that most of us would not have taken on. I think we all have gained a tremendous amount of knowledge from watching your work and thanks again for so generously sharing it with all of us.
So sorry to hear about your recent and continued health problems and may you recover as best as possible and enjoy time with your family and friends. Please feel free to stop by just to say Hi anytime.
Bob
PS- as a long time Giants fan, I can still see that tackle LT put on Theisman and the resulting injury that followed. OUCH!
@big boy4014 I've never spoken with you or met you before, but I live near you, in Minneapolis. I know you had your assistant working with you, but if you do decide to continue, I'd be glad to come over and help you complete your dream so you can just enjoy running trains. Anyone involved with this, send me a PM.
Thanks for the update and best wishes.
Elliot, I am sorry to hear things are not going like we all with they were. As I posted on the other thread IMOP you are one of the Modern day Masters in this hobby! I have learned so much fallowing your build and got some wonderful help from you along the ride, along with a wonderful train puzzle that has a special place in my train room!
If there is anything we can do please let us know.
Just a thought have you given any consideration to a mobility chair to go up and down the stairs? We just got my Father-in-law andit works great. I know it doesn't help your hands, but you might be able to go down and just run trains!
I greatly miss your post and your friendship here! Please take care and drop us a line now and then to let us know how you are doing!
Never met you, but I get it.........best of luck to you....a friend in Nevada
@RSJB18 posted:
For you and the person that posted after you ( @towdog ) Elliot's handle is big_boy_4005 - not 4014 so he will not be alerted to your posts as you've done them.
I had the pleasure of meeting Elliot and Miss Tammy in Duluth when 4014 came to town. They were the most welcoming and a wonderful couple. What I remember most is his deep, booming "radio voice" which proved even better when he joined in on the singing of "City of New Orleans." I worked not too far from where he lives and he'd extended an invitation for me to stop by and view it. I'm sorry that the opportunity to do so didn't present its self and meanwhile my work situation has changed. I wish Elliot the best for his health circumstances and hope that he is comfortable. Like most of us I hope he finds a way to continue with his layout but understand if he can't.
@big boy 4005 So sorry to hear of your health. I followed you faithfully and learned so much. I have always kept you in my prayers and there you will stay. As others have posted I am sorry to hear of the decision to possibly leave trains. I can tell it was a true love affair. I hope you at least can stay on here to advise all of us with all your knowledge. Someone like you doesn't come along too often. I know you lived and breathed trains and it was easy to see by your post and your layout. As was mentioned earlier I hope maybe whoever was helping maybe can continue and maybe you can get a chair lift installed so you can at least run trains. It seems all the long time great ones are slowly fading away either for health or other reasons including the great train ride to heaven. I am very happy that you are not on that train as I still hold out hope as it is great to be able to at least hear from you. It is like a long lost brother returning home and I want to just sit and listen. My prayers are still with you.
Curtis
Best wishes Elliot!
Best wishes Elliot. I predict your leg will heal, mine did, but it took a long time.
Hi Elliot,
Best Wishes, great to hear from you and I know that you will continue the heal!
I look forward to our gettogethers and working on the layout again. Get better first. Give our regards to Tammy. Weston says " HI Mr Elliot" and remembers your kindness and sharing visit
miggy
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I am so sorry to hear this. I always enjoyed how large and beautiful this layout is. With so much love put into every detail starting with the benchwork. The helixes amazed me. Still do to this day. I hope you can find a way to at least get back down there and enjoy running trains. As everyone always says a layout is never finished and it doesnt have to be if it is up and running for the most part. I wish you all the best.
Elliot - good luck with your rehab. As we get older, it takes awhile.
I broke my femur once tripping over a subway grate in NYC. Anyway, the rod that they inserted was made from titanium. Non-metallic, won't set off metal detectors.
So sorry Elliot. I certainly pray for your health to improve so you can get back to your true love. Thanks for all your discourse on model railroading.
Sorry to hear of the misfortunes Elliot. always looked forward to your monthly updates. I knew about your initial problem and having to step back from the trains. Take good care of yourself and hope things get better soon! 💪
I hope you can get all of the health assistance possible.
Andrew
Hope you are feeling better after all these months.
Was glad to see your post the other day. Chime in here more often. You can give us a lot of advice on our layouts.
Redball342
Big boy I hope your doing better and can start enjoying your railroad soon. 
