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Hi,

I joined the forum last night after visiting for a period of time.  I live in Upper Michigan, and I am a Letourneau loader mechanic in the iron mines here.  (I've read about the problems with the reliability of some of the new trains, and the same thing goes for 7 million dollar front end loaders!  Unreal.)  I'm married, 39 years old, and we just had our first child.  Although my brother has been into Lionel since childhood, I just got interested last year.  I wanted a post war set for our christmas tree, and it snowballed in a big way after that.  I've amassed a decent collection in the past year, and the bug is still going strong.  My other interests include Tesla coiling, history, putzing in my garage machine shop, etc.  Wife permitting, I hope to build a layout in the future, and am hoping that my son will share the enthusiasm.  Understandably, none of my interests have been "cheap", but I don't buy snowmobiles , Harleys and sports cars either.  If anyone is in the Marquette-Negaunee area of the UP, please let me know on the forum.  I'd be interesting in meeting up.

 

John Richardson

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Welcome aboard from me also although I have only been a member less than 3 weeks as well.  I had the opportunity to visit Michigan 2 months ago and while I was there found a train "store" that was going out of business.  It was a converted garage detached from the guys house on, I believe, the Lake Huron side probably an hour from Mackinaw City.  It was called the "Train Dr" and he was liquidating his inventory.  Don't know what kind of deals you might get there but you might look.  Ph # is:  989-733-2101.  I came back with a Flat car w/police car on it and a Smoking Diner.

Thanks for the replies and warm welcomes!  The mines do have there own railroad, the Lake Superior and Ishpeming (LS&I), which hauls the iron ore pellets to the loading docks in Marquette and Escanaba, and from there the are loaded onto the freighters.  (Think Edmund Fitzgerald.)  As far as pictures, we are not allowed to take photos as employees, but visitors are.  Go figure.  I would assume it's so we can't document any conditions or accidents, which do happen occasionally.  We had a string of fatalities about six years ago, and just last week a haul truck hit a pick-up, severely crushing the drivers legs, pelvis, etc.  Lucky to be alive.  The operation is huge as are the machines.  The trucks have a capacity of 320 tons, the shovels scoop 64 cubic yards at a time, and the front end loaders weigh almost 600,000 lbs.  The processing plant has like sized machinery.  There are some videos and pictures floating around out there of the railroad, docks and mines.  Google Tilden Mine, Empire Mine or LS&I railroad.  I would like to one day model the railroad and loading docks, but for now that is just a dream.  Thanks again for the welcome, and hopefully I may have something to contribute in the future!

 

John

















Hi John, welcome aboard. You sound like the typical poster on this site, many interest and skills joined together by toy trains.

 

I wish you many happy years in the hobby and I'm sure you know there are many guys and gals here ready and willing to help you with any questions you might have.

 

I look forward to reading your post and remember it's all about having fun.

John

My return to the hobby started with a layout around the Christmas tree also,

when it was still up in April it was time to move it downstairs.

I love the country in the U.P. and always see cool rail cars on some of the sidings

I’m using a hillside in Niagara, Wi just south of Iron Mt, for modeling my layout

The people on these forums are very knowledgeable and helpful 

Welcome and Good Luck

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