On last Thursday, Dotty and I flew to Ohio with Carl Chancey. We met up with our friend Gerry Morlitz who drove from New York. Upon arriving in Canfield we headed to the Lionel facility to say hello to Mike Reagan, Phil Hull and Brian Tusin. While there, we met fellow forum member Roger Wasson. We then headed to Mercer Junction train store to meet up with Dave Minarik. Mercer Junction is one fantastic train store. After closing for the day, Dave took us to his home to see his home layout. Dave is also a custom motorcycle builder and musician. Below are a few pix from the store and Daves home layout.
Below are a few pix of the most beautiful bikes ever built. Dave hand built them. The first pix is of myself and Gerry (sleazy rider) Morlitz.
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few weeks ago at the home of Alex Malliae with Mike Reagan, I told Mike I would love to have his old Train America sign for my train room. I first went to his old headquarters last year with him and always admired the sign. He told me to bring some tools to the Lionel open house and he would be happy to give it to me as long as it did not end up on ebay. This past Friday morning, I met Mike at the Lionel building and he sent Brian Tusin with me to score the sign. After getting the sign, I took it back to Lionel and he signed it along with Phil Hull, Brian Tusin and Stephen Pennline. All these men worked for Mike at Train America.
After having the boys sign my new sign, we grabbed Roger Wasson and headed to visit a very talked about layout in Ohio that was owned and built by Jeff James. Upon walking into the train room, we were all blown away by this beautiful layout that models the Ohio steel hauling railroads. Jeff had several hand made custom buildings that represented steel mills and related buildings. He had all the correct rolling stock to go with the atmosphere. The layout is Legacy and DCS and I rate it one of the best I have ever seen. Please enjoy the pictures below and thank you Jeff for the invite.
Below, Left to right, Jeff James, Carl Chancey, Roger Wasson, Gerry Morlitz, Dotty Perry and myself.
On Friday we went back to the hotel and met up with Alan Arnold the new OGR Ad Man. Known to all as leavingtracks. A great guy and great addition to the OGR staff. Many of us were invited to a cook out Mike Reagan and Phil Hull were throwing at the Lionel facility. Present were all the Lionel employees including Howard Hitchcock. All the OGR staff were present. Jim, Rich, Ed, Allan and Alan. Captain John Xenides, Gerry Morlitz, Tom Nuzzo and several others were present. Hot dogs and beverages of choice were served. Great time and thanks again Mike and Phil.
Time for the big event. The open house the Lionel guys conducted was second to none. Several operating layouts and deals for the public that made the trip worth the price of gas. Mike, Phil and the staff pulled off one for the books. I was an Lionel Employee for the day doing security at the register. Dotty did the same keeping the shelves stocked for the public. Not one incident. Great people and many forum guys to meet.
Great freight cars with die cast trucks for $12.00. I loaded up on those and several PRR N5C cabooses.
Mike and Captain John.
Jeff James and Alan Arnold.
Marty E having a great time.
After the days work was done and everyone went home to enjoy the big scores they made today, Mike and Phil took everyone who worked the event out for a great meal. Great hobby, great friends and good times. Thank you Mike and Phil.
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