how ya doing

I'm doin jolly good.  I have 3 simple loops until I find a residence of my own.  The out rim is O72 with O54 and O31 making up the inner loops.

 

I run whenever the dogs go out.  Usually 10 minutes at a time.  Looking forward once I get past the financial stress of divorce to add the engines I was always looking for.

 

I got my 2 pups, one daughter and my trains!  All in all I'm doin' fine!

Sounds like you've got a lot, Marty.

 

I would hate to have to go through a divorce. I wish you the best.

 

Rick

I'm also well satisfied.  My own divorce is in the distant past.  My current wife enables me well in my hobby, even buying trains herself to gift me.

 

I'm closing in on acquiring all the trains I've wanted.  They get run whenever
I feel like it.  Or sometimes I'll just look around the layout, thinking, trying to come up with improvements.  My wife does think that's a little strange, though.

 

My biggest satisfaction the last few years has been refurbishing or customizing trashed items.  All in all, no complaints.

TrainsRMe,

 

Sounds like you're at a nice point in your life.

 

 

Rick

Minor O guage annoyances aside, fairly well. My job is plugging along in this sluggish economy, no long term outlook but somethin to do everyday. My oldest turned sixteen yesterday, seems like just yesterday I was rocking her to sleep. I'm pleased with my layout,things run well, not quite halfway done with scenery. A horrible cliche' but a nice scale hudson would probably round out my fleet. Theres 6 k line NYC passenger cars on the shelf waiting for some head end power. A legacy j3a with the features "as described" might just fit the bill, however if MTH redoes their pt hudson I may make the leap.

If i was any better i would be sick  yes it is from a song  

I am doing well I have been spending my spare time building or restoring, pending how one looks at(Ask me again tomorrow) our area trains store's O gauge layout for the new owner, with my partner in crime Jim Policastro. we have been eating, sleeping and drinking it both at the store and in our basements. Started in May and hope to see the stretch run by beginning of August.Its 3 levels- two O gauge, one S gauge, trolley line, Red Rocks, 3 foot waterfalls, Full operating Amusement park, GE Industrial park, Flea market, Car show and Barbecue at the falls and I can go on and we hope to have in OGR to show our collaborative effort and shared wisdom on layout building. And yes I love my wife, children,grandchildren, Lionel, MTH and all other train related products. My Trains work and I can get over their shortcomings. To summarize. Life is as perfect as it can be, thanks be to God!!!!

I'm doin fine

 

Been retired for 5+ years, work 2 days/wk at a local golf course for a fine boss and with fellow employees, play golf as much as I can , and have a wonderful wife who encourages me to play golf and go to train shows whenever possible.

 

We'll be doing even better when the house is paid off in the next couple of years

 

I have about all the trains I can run at one time, but it seems like there's always another piece I must have.  What I need to do is get back on detailing the scenery on my layout.  About the only thing I want are several PS2 upgrade kits, of the 7 engines I run 4 are still conventional (2 diesels, 2 steamers) and soon there'll be another (3rd Rail E7 in Seaboard paint) that I may want to upgrade.

 

I feel sorry for my 3 kids, they have a long road ahead of them.  Today's workplace isn't like it was back when I was their age.  Then a person pretty much stayed with the same company or changed jobs infrequently.  Today companies have a revolving door where workers come and go on a daily basis.  The fear of not knowing what your job situation will be tomorrow is stress these kids don't need.

I doing great. I'm building an Kato N gauge layout.

Sounds like most, so far, are doing pretty good. Thanks for the input, lads.

 

Rick(O),

 

I've been there, big time, a few years back, re: ongoing issues with new products. It ****ed me off, as it should have and I let my feelings/concerns be know, to the appropriate people involved. Now, all  my new purchases are tested/checked out prior to being shipped to me.

 

It goes back, if I'm not happy with the item. My dealer knows what I expect, and they look after me. That is an important working relationship to have, that has the best chance for customer satisfaction. My satisfaction.

 

Feeling like your being taken advantage of, and not having your expectations being met, as you know, breeds resentment...

 

Too much of that, and your passion for the hobby starts to die off.

 

Sometimes, you just have to pull the plug and move on. I'd try another dealer first, if you don't think your current manufacture is addressing your concerns, to your satisfaction.

 

The problem with this hobby is that, the relationship is frequently unbalanced. A significant percentage of customers are too needy, and the manufacturers know that.

They(the manufacturers) don't think you will walk away, so they continue on with business as usual.

 

Personally knowing that you won't take ****, and that you're willing to do something about it... is important for a customer. It puts them in a position of power.

 

Feeling powerless and impotent, just brings you down.

 

I hope ya get what you want out of your hobby.

 

Nice talking with you, again.

 

Take care,

 

Rick

BTW my week just got so much freakin better.  Thanks for asking Rick!

Care to share with us why your week got better, Marty?

 

Hey, I sent you an email, and asked you if you'd post a few pictures of my new equipment... once I get my mitts on it?

 

No pressure, you've already been a generous lad.

 

DISREGARD THE ABOVE - GOT YOUR EMAIL

 

 

Rick

Well seems OGR has let you back, VOX/OMAX/Rick.  Wonder how long you'll hang out this trip?

Mich,

 

I'll take door number 3 for 100, please.

 

 

Rick

Hey Marty. Hang in there dude. There is life after divorce you just have to get through some of the garbage first. Good luck.

Chris,

 

Marty got good news.

 

 

Rick

I think a lot of the garbage got put out this evening for pick up.

There ya go!

I have been retired for 7 years and maybe its just getting older but I don't have the passion for trains that I did for hot rod cars and motorcycles all my life. Still there is plenty of intrest, I work on my layout all the time when my obligations are done. Retired I can spend the time to go on all 4 O gauge forums + MR daily and enjoy this imensely.

As I don't have the interaction with people from going to work, and I'm single with no family in this state I have found different church events I go to during the week and of coarse on Sunday that I enjoy very much.

Dennis

Hi Dennis,

 

I've found my passion for my trains has waned some, myself; but, I still enjoy them.

 

Thanks,

 

Rick

One word TERRIFIC.

 

Took an early retirement 4 years ago and have been having a great time with trains, traveling, hiking and the Grandkids. Run the trains numerous times through the week if at home, my goal this year is to attempt to run all my locomotives which will take just about every day that I am not travelling. Have a new hobby in hiking the Rails to Trails, which is great for keeping the weight in check.

Travel and hiking, sounds good, Bill. I usually do 3 walks a day, and try to change up my routes/locations. I really enjoy walking. 

 

Rick

Hi Jim,

 

I've never been big on a layout covered with dust collecting scenic features/materials. Trying to keep that clean must be a real pain.

 

The preference for scale equipment seems to be on the rise...

 

Cheers,

 

Rick

Trainwise, Do'in just fine,I have another Imperial Railking engine on the way.

Work is steady and looking fair into the future.

Family wise, stress is UP, got a niece with 5 kids moved in to avoid them being in the street.

Looks like it will be long term, so we are pretty crowded in the house but I'll take it over seeing those kids living in the street. Ages 9 months to 8 years.

And all the hugs when I walk in the door after work is nice.

Russell,

 

I wish you and all your family members the best.

 

 

Rick

I'm as happy as a puppy chasing a toy train.  Just posted some photos of my new Carpet Layout.  Will post some of the photos here.  Lionel Lionmaster Big Boy and three Lionel Lionmaster Challengers.  Enjoy.   Killian

 

 

 

 

 

 My Favorite photo.

 

 

 

 

 Steaming up.

 

 

 

 

 

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

POW/MIA YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

Not bad, Killian. Not bad at all.

 

Nice squad!

 

I recently got some new gear, yesterday, to be precise. I'm trying to get one of my friends here(on this forum) to post a few pictures for me.

 

I requested they be posted on the lad's(Davy Mac's) "New garden layout" thread, found on the 2-rail forum. I'm pretty proud of my stuff, too. Just like you.)

 

Thanks for your contribution.

 

Rick

Finer than frogs hair. Got a new loco and living in a great place. Don

Don,

 

The second photo, what can you tells about it.  It is AWESOME.   Killian

 

 

VETERANS HOME - NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

POW/MIA YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN

 

 

Thanks, we took a drive up to the top of our world yesterday. It's called Haleakala, "house of the sun" Volcano. Many times it's cold that high (10,023 ft) but yesterday it was clear and warm. The big island is about one hundred miles away and you could clearly see it. That's it with the clouds over it in the distance. Killian we moved to Maui last November. We lived just south of you in Marin. Don

"Finer than frogs hair" - never heard that one before, Don.

 

Nice Alco. That's one model type I don't have, yet.

 

Re: the second picture, not the standard Hawaii tourist shot. Very nice!

 

Sort-of extraterrestrial looking...

 

 

Rick