My Wife wanted to get me something that wasn’t a train. So my birthday was April 7th and I didn’t get nothing. She tells me it’s delayed and it’s coming. Yesterday UPS knocked on my door and opened it up and it’s a signed painting from Angela Trotta Thomas. It’s awesome. Didn’t think I would get something better than a train but she topped it!
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Congrats! I'm a fan of her artwork myself.
-Greg
Happy Birthday Merlin!
By the way, my B-day is also April 7!
Although I am generally not a fan of Ms. Thomas's work, I must say that painting is really awesome! Congrats! :-)
Wonderful!
You have a wonderful wife! The picture is beautiful! I think that it portrays how we feel about Trains! A cozy, friendly feeling! Enjoy!:-)
Cannot get any better than the Blue Comet!! Excellent, Happy belated Birthday
Tinplate Art, not a fan???????????
Very nice!
Peter
This was a special commission print for the New Jersey Lottery called The Shoreline Express. The standard gauge Lionel Blue Comet train was painted at the New York & Long Branch (joint Jersey Central-Pennsylvania RRs) train station at Red Bank, NJ. Red Bank station still exists on the NJ Transit commuter line from Bay Head Jct. to Newark, NJ.
Inaugural Run of 'The Blue Comet' from Atlantic City, NJ to Jersey City, NJ (New York City) on February 21, 1929 Railway Age photo
Red Bank station was built by Central Railroad of New Jersey in 1875, has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976 and is part of the Operating Passenger Railroad Stations Thematic Resource. Notable visitors included Presidents Ulysses S. Grant, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and King George VI of the United Kingdom. The 1876 station house was renovated in 2012–2014 to its appearance when built, including historically correct material, reconstruction of "Yankee" gutters, installation of new downspouts, and replacement of historic windows, shutters and gingerbread trim. Repairs were made to roof soffits and wood framing of the structure, and to repoint the brick foundation wall and the brick chimney, and to recreate a brick "crown" atop the chimney. Exterior paint of the station matches its original color scheme.
NJ Transit photo and info
I passed this station many times as a conductor or brakeman on former Jersey Central RR enroute to the sand pits at Lakehurst, NJ...all on former Blue Comet trackage.
@Walter Matuch posted:The 1876 station house was renovated in 2012–2014 to its appearance when built, including historically correct material, reconstruction of "Yankee" gutters, installation of new downspouts, and replacement of historic windows, shutters and gingerbread trim. Repairs were made to roof soffits and wood framing of the structure, and to repoint the brick foundation wall and the brick chimney, and to recreate a brick "crown" atop the chimney. Exterior paint of the station matches its original color scheme.
I only wish other communities would recognize the beauty of these Victorian styled buildings and preserved them as this one has vs. tearing them down and replacing them with a parking lot.
Kudos to all those involved in the preservation of this incredible building.
Great birthday present!!! She loves you, and that's important!! All the best with it!!
Great photos and history roundup by Walter!
@Merlin
Congratulations.
I will mention that I like the snow scene.
I too am a fan of Angela's talented work.
Very nice indeed...but where's the center rail? 😁😁😁
Mark in Oregon
Did Angela ever paint a Milwaukee Road HIAWATHA?
Bob Nelson
@navy.seal posted:Did Angela ever paint a Milwaukee Road HIAWATHA?
If she tried, I'm sure the railroad gendarmes chased her away!
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