Mandy Patinkin
Originally Posted by electroliner:
Since the loss of Tom Snyder, our hobby has slipped under the televsion radar and any exposure is better than no exposure at all, regardless of the subjective opinions about the hosts talent.
True. This is what a great and positive piece about the hobby looks like:
I'm a big train guy and I was in "Sudden Death" Starring Martin Eibeck with Jean-Claude Van Damme.
Harry
Your posting of Mandy reminded me of one of my favorite Tomorrow shows hosted by Tom that featured another great spokesman for the hobby, Ward Kimball. For those who missed it, here is a sample I thought worthy of sharing. Wards candor in saying.."All I had was a lousy Ives cast iron train with one motor.." drew a chuckle from me. I can relate. perhaps we all can. Perhaps, my second favorite was the live remote Tom did that focused on the history of the Blue Comet while on board an excursion. What great public celebrity spokesman they were. The void since they both passed on hopefully will be filled although I have my doubts.
No matter what your opinion of NY is I can tell you he is a real train guy. One thing about our hobby is that people of all persuasions and political views are able to enjoy a common link Trains. Neil was all trains when he visted us.
We do misss Tom Snyder and his efforts for our hobby. His layout and his collection can be seen as he wanted it at our site.
My thanks to all of you who turned this thread into a positive discussion.
Tom Snyder was a great train guy. Frank Sinatra was a great train guy. Ward Kimball was a great train guy. Mandy Patinkin still is a great train guy. Neil Young is a great train guy. And there are more. The list of celebrity train fans is long, and not exclusive to O gauge. Each contributed or continues to contribute something to the hobby in his own way. And there are hundreds if not thousands of more individuals who have done or continue to do likewise, even if they haven't attained celebrity status.
But one thing you can be 100% certain of: None of those individuals, past or present, looked down their noses at others who shared their hobby, and none broadcast disparaging comments about their fellow hobbyists.
Actor Michael Gross and cartoonist ("For Better or For Worse") Lynn Johnston. Also, Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and Bill Clinton have been photographed enjoying toy trains.
Originally Posted by TrainsRMe:
cartoonist ("For Better or For Worse") Lynn Johnston.
It was actually Lynn's husband who was into trains, she incorporated it into the comic strip. Later he decided he was into his dental assistant and bailed on Lynn.
Originally Posted by Allan Miller:
But one thing you can be 100% certain of: None of those individuals, past or present, looked down their noses at others who shared their hobby, and none broadcast disparaging comments about their fellow hobbyists.
Well said. We should all enjoy any opportunity to see our hobby promoted. It doesn't happen often enough.
