O Gauge - Charlotte, NC

Hey Ben,

Thanks for the kind words and I wish I could move about like they did on Star Trek. You know that I would be there more often to be there on Wednesday's or any other event! You are blessed to have Matt Sniffen there to do the scenic buildings from scratch. He was always & still is a giver, like you, to the hobby. He could take s_ _t and make something of it! He managed to prove to people at a show, one event, that his "Dead Rail" was the only train operating on the Layout as the thunderstorm had knocked out all power in the Raritan Center (Greenbergs Show) and people couldn't believe that there was a train still running with all power off! Matt told them that the engine had it's own generator on board!!! They bought it!!!

     Steam Forever

            John

P.S. "Checks in the mail"

Hi John

I have been following Matt's construction of the Giuliano Power Company

Hey Ben,

First time my eyes have laid eyes on the work he's told me about. Got to admit, I'm choked up! Thanks for posting it! Looks like my red toolbox, in the truck, from my construction days. Have worked at a couple of electrical switch yards in the past. It's a whole different animal with high voltage, and safety is paramont!!! But, if anyone could have pulled this off with the substation, I'm glad it was Matt. I'm hoping that the guy in the bucket truck checked the primary line feeding that transformer with his "hot stick" before putting those cable cutters to that "Hot Primary. I see Matt forgot the pole fuse for the transformer on the pole!!! LOL May be going to the August show at Greenberg's! By the way, the modules he's working on were mine, he bought them just before my departure of N.J. They look great!

      Steam Forever

            John

Create an Instagram account and follow Raritanvalley to see all the pics  He has some videos too

@bluelinec4 posted:

Hi John

I have a pair of those, one bucket and one pole-hole auger; but, being 1/43, they are way too big and will stay in their boxes.

@scott.smith posted:

You still have the stores in the region. The Train Loft in Winston Salem, The Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer and of course Lionel's company owned store in Concord. There is also a used train store at one of the antique malls north of Charlotte. What you need is space and cheap rent to start a club. I am 3 hours north of you in Roanoke. We have a club in the basement of the Virginia Museum of Transportation. We certainly welcome visitors and even new members. We have one associate member that travels to see the club a couple of times a month from Bluefield about 90 miles away. Associate membership is only $5.00 per month. We had a little issue with the fire marshal and we are currently rebuilding the O-Gauge layout. He said we were blocking a secondary exit and made us tear it down.
    We have 7 layouts, I have built and run the tinplate layout. There is On30, HO and N scale layouts currently running. This is the rebuilt benchwork for the O-Gauge.

We are open Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00. We do have a once a month club meeting which makes a poor time for anyone to visit. I only bring this up since it is this coming Tuesday May 31st. You are certainly welcome to come and visit on any other Tuesday. We are usually open for special events at the museum.

Here is a video of my tinplate layout which is O-Gauge and Standard Gauge tinplate.

The On30 layout is very cool looking and is getting a makeover. We have been fortunate to have some several very nice buildings donated by OGR forum member VA Golfer (Paul Strickland).

If you are looking to replace your NJ Hi-Railers experience, you will be disappointed . The NJ Hi-Railers have no equals.
Scott Smith

Do you remember what the antique mall was called with the used train store north of Charlotte?

Thanks

@LionelLegend posted:

Do you remember what the antique mall was called with the used train store north of Charlotte?

Thanks

I believe this is the store being referred to in Moorseville:   Location - Burke's Vintage Train Depot (burkesvintagetraindepot.com)

@jeffdoo posted:

I believe this is the store being referred to in Moorseville:   Location - Burke's Vintage Train Depot (burkesvintagetraindepot.com)

That's the place. I have been looking for his business cars so I could answer the question.

Scott Smith

@scott.smith posted:

That's the place. I have been looking for his business cars so I could answer the question.

Scott Smith

Business cars?? If they are 85' scale length, then I would like one also!

@PRRMP54 posted:

Business cars?? If they are 85' scale length, then I would like one also!

How about business CARDS. I would blame it on auto correct; however my poor typing skills are most likely to blame.

Scott Smith

There is a nice train display in Mebane NC.

https://themebanetraindisplay.com/

Raleigh is the same.  On hobby shop in Raleigh.  Most of the stuff I pick up is from shows in May and Nov  at the State fairgrounds hosted by https://nrvclub.net/.

I am a transplant from Youngstown, Ohio, which being a tell town had lots of RR's around.  B&O, C&O, P&LE, Erie and ACY which was thg Akron Canton Youngstown.  Used to visit Amer's Hobby shop in Youngstown but he has gone out of business as well.

@jeffdoo posted:

I believe this is the store being referred to in Moorseville:   Location - Burke's Vintage Train Depot (burkesvintagetraindepot.com)

I think he pulled out of the antique shop and now selling strictly online.

I know the LCCA with their visits to the area to scout for their 2023 convention was having trouble finding layouts, either clubs or personal. Not sure what they found, but should be advertising soon for registration. They came by my work as a potential tour stop (Reed Gold Mine) but not sure how it will work out.

It would be nice if the NCTM would give space in one of their buildings for layouts, but they mainly rely on local groups to bring modular layouts. Only permanent layout was an N scale non working one to show the original shop complex.

@Jacob You should try the Mebane Train Group and the Yadkin & Catawba Model Railroad Club.

Hello everyone,

Have some news about the upstart of a modular train group and have met some interested parties who want to sit down and throw some ideas together so the group can set some goals and see where to take this venture. By the way, I have changed my title from John J. Giuliano to N&WY6b for future reference. My suggestion is that anyone who has an interest in becoming a part of this new venture, send me an email so I can inform potential members of when the sit down with others to set some goals and throw around some ideas to get the ball rolling. Will probably set a date after the Christmas & New Years holiday for a sit down session. My email is in my profile!            Not limited to the Charlotte N.C. area!

        Steam Forever

              John

John,

It was a pleasure speaking to you this evening. Let’s try to set a date after the new year for a group of us to meet up and kick around some ideas about starting a modular club. Good luck repairing those camelbacks!

Dave

Hey Scott,

Nice pics of what seems to be your layout on pg.5. Well, there are 4 of us who will probably get together soon to see what each persons goals are for the modular group. I know that you had said that there are no equals to the N.J. Hi-Railers and that doesn't discourage me (not that I'm saying that you are trying to discourage me), because there's a big difference between what they have and most other model train groups have, SIZE. I was a part of that experiance as an electrician and working with the electrical team, and have no regrets. My goal is just to enjoy the hobby for what it is. Part of my passion to this hobby is to reminiss of my part time steam days at the New Hope & Ivyland as a Fireman on #40 (consolidation). Met some great guy's there and that's what keeps me going with the hobby! As it would have it, mother nature thought it was best to put the coal shovel down on a sweltering August day and that was the end of it, sorry to say! It was great while it lasted and I couldn't squeeze another year out of it at 59. I'm probably right in saying that anyone who did something similiar to what I was doing in the cab, may relate when you "packed it in". It's tough walking away from!

Anyway, we are going to do our best to get things moving along with the few guys that are interested and hope that OGR will serve its purpose of "drawing bees to the honey". Happy New Year to All!!! Hope to get up North to do a show with my former group "The Raritan Valley Hi-Railers". They keep asking, but the drive is LLLLoooonnnggg!

    Steam Forever

         John

I hope you guys are successful in organizing a club 

These should be the goals

1- Run Trains

2- Run trains

3- Run Longer trains

I'm in Durham and may be interested in a modular club.

    Hey Ben,

Have you been practicing the Huckle Buck? What are you going to do with all that spare time now that you are retired? Answer: Run Trains, Run Trains, Run Longer Trains?

    Steam Forever

         John

Hey Dave,

Would love to have you aboard! It was a pleasure talking to you also, and we are just about into the new year. One thing is for certain is that I have a lot of leftover items for doing scenic scenes from the "Raritan Valley Hi-Railers" that I'm looking to get out of the room in my home. But, will tell you more about it when the time is right! Have a happy New Year and great health to everyone in the Train World, whether it is 1/1or all the way down to "Z" gauge! We'll be talking soon, God Bless!

     Steam Forever

            John

Hey CSX Joe,

Good to hear from you! I know your former leader Ted Bertinger, great guy. We, the Raritan Valley Hi-Railers, usually saw Ted at the Raritan Center Exhibit Center in Edison, N.J. He was usually setting up a display for people to see how Legacy and MTH's systems works. Seems he always had a crowd of curiosity seekers by the demo table. I think that you may have not been here in N Carolina too long have you? I, myself (1/7/23 marks a year) with the wife & mother. Anyway, it would be great to have another person to add to the roster. Will be contacting you soon, if still interested, to set up a time for a meeting soon. Happy New Year to you and yours!

     Steam Forever

            John

John,  

I’m looking forward to meeting you and the other guys to kick around ideas for a club layout. Wishing you and your family a Happy New Year!

Dave

John, we have been here about 3 years.  I do miss the Jersey club.  We started as modular also, albeit HO.

Hey Ben,

What was the Track that was used on the N.J. Hi-Railers layout, Ross or Gargraves? I believe that there was a mix of Atlas switches & straights in some areas and one of the other two mentioned, was there? Thanks! Trying to decide which is best for the project,

     Steam Forever

            John

@ROGERW posted:

Hello Jacob, welcome to Charlotte, NC!! There isn't any O gauge shops in Charlotte. As PRR Ron has already stated, the closest O gauge shops are the Little Choo Choo Shop in Spencer, NC and The Train Loft in Winston-Salem, NC. I've Started a 3-rail O scale club in Winston-Salem. The name of the club is: The Piedmont-Triad Model Railroaders Club. You can access any information about the club by clicking on this link: www.piedmonttriadmodelrailroadersclub.com Thanks in advance.....Roger Whitsett, President and Founder

Hi, I have tried your link several times. It does not work, takes to selling site.  Just so you know.  Might be broken or corrupted.

Melvin

The Hobby House in Hendersonville, about an hour away from Charlotte, has a lot of Lionel and MTH, a website inventory, but call and inquire since everything they have is not posted. Pam is the people person when you call or visit, Ted may seem a bit standoffish, but he is a great fellow once he gets to know you.

@Melvin P posted:

Hi, I have tried your link several times. It does not work, takes to selling site.  Just so you know.  Might be broken or corrupted.

Melvin

Hello Melvin, I disbanded my club in 2017. I still have my trains. I'm back on the road performing music. I would have kept the club going but I didn't have the extra time to devote to it............Roger

John,

Based on experience, for the modular layout we used o guage tubular track.  Since the modules are to be transported and stacked, the more rugged the better.

What if we set up a private Facebook page for this endeavor?

I’m in Hendersonville and it’s 2 hours from my house to CLT airport

I think a private FB group is a great idea! I am about 45 minutes north in Salisbury.

Mr. Stevemny (Maier),

We know each other! Pause & scratch your head and ask yourself, who could this be? Hint: I was also a member of N.J. Hi-Railers! Still stumped? I was the other union electrician in the group that rewired, with Al Spavena, the subway system switch tracks and we got it done in about a years time considering that we were only there on Wednesday's as it was the work day for all, followed by Jimmy Dimeo's famous drowned Tube Steaks for dinner! OOOOFFAA! I was in Local 102 IBEW Paterson N.J. and I believe you were in Local 3 IBEW! Are you serious about coming on board, if so, Great? By the way, I've seen your home layout, it looks great! I believe you're still a member of N.J. Hi-Railers? Happy New years to you!

    Steam Forever

           John

I'll set up the private FB page but will need a name.  NC O Guage Modular Club?

@N&WY6b posted:

Mr. Stevemny (Maier),

We know each other! Pause & scratch your head and ask yourself, who could this be? Hint: I was also a member of N.J. Hi-Railers! Still stumped? I was the other union electrician in the group that rewired, with Al Spavena, the subway system switch tracks and we got it done in about a years time considering that we were only there on Wednesday's as it was the work day for all, followed by Jimmy Dimeo's famous drowned Tube Steaks for dinner! OOOOFFAA! I was in Local 102 IBEW Paterson N.J. and I believe you were in Local 3 IBEW! Are you serious about coming on board, if so, Great? By the way, I've seen your home layout, it looks great! I believe you're still a member of N.J. Hi-Railers? Happy New years to you!

    Steam Forever

           John

John

I remember you and all the days crawling under the layout. it was sad day last week when Al passed. When everything is organized with the new club I’ll come visit and we’re planning to come to Concord next July for the LCCA convention.  Hopefully we can have a NJhirailers table.

stay safe and Happy New Year to you and your family.

Hey CSX Joe,

Happy New Year to you & yours! Joe could I suggest that you wait till we guy's that are interested in starting the group have all met each other and get input from all who are on board for any group names or social media postings. There has to be input from all parties as to what we all want, and then again maybe you were just throwing ideas out there, which is fine because enthusiasm is catchy!

    Steam Forever

           John

John, you are correct re my post.

Hey Steve,

Are you going up to Paterson for the OGR Show in 2 weeks?

     Steam Forever

             John