ROAD TRIP (YouTube presentation)

Well,  instead of the nightmare that is I95, consider I 26 to Tri-Cities and pick up I 81.  You can then stop in Hendersonville, NC along the way, at the Hobby House on US 25 just north of town.  Ted and Pam would love a visit.  You also have an I 40 option that takes you to a couple nice ones in the Hickory area, search online for them, I have done mail order from them, but now have forgotten their names.

Well, I forgot a couple other train things to see in H'ville.  There is a large N scale club on 7th Avenue with their own building and plenty of parking, and almost catty-corner from it is the railroad station on the ex/Southern/NS line down yo the Saluda Grade, and in that station is a huge HO empire on the inside, and G gauge on the outside.  No 'O' though.  Admission us free, open to the public on Wednesday and Saturday.  Not sure about the hours of the N gauge club though, while I like what you can do with N, HO is frustrating enough to me, besides, I don't see well up close anymore without glasses.

Charlie in NC

Thank  you for the suggestions Charlie!

Dave

Dave, I would recommend visiting "The Train Station" located in Mountain Lakes, NJ and also "Trains and Things" located in Ewing, NJ as they both have a large amount of O Gauge and Postwar items. Sadly a lot of the long time brick and mortar stores have closed. Atlas Mfg. also has a store that is open to the public, in Hillside NJ, not far from the original Lionel Manufacturing site. There are many other NJ shops listed on Google search, but may not be near 95 or Newark, NJ. Safe travels, enjoy the ride, Rick.

Just Trains in Delaware and Nicholas Smith Trains in Broomall, PA are both not too far off 95, although you might have to leave really early to get to them before closing times.

Andy

Its not a train store but it is a pretty decent layout about 10 minutes north of Newark   The NJ HiRailers club would love to show you our layout 

Rick and Andy, thank you both for the suggestions. I will look into those locations.

KD the prayers are very much appreciated and your "out of the box" thinking really would be a welcomed and interesting tool.

Dave

@bluelinec4 posted:

Its not a train store but it is a pretty decent layout about 10 minutes north of Newark   The NJ HiRailers club would love to show you our layout

Who do I contact? I like your "pretty decent" statement, lol.

Dave

Dave if you've never been to Paterson take Ben up on his offer, it'll be a highlight of your trip!

@coach joe posted:

Dave if you've never been to Paterson take Ben up on his offer, it'll be a highlight of your trip!

I agree with Joe, you've seen many layouts, but NJ-HR is a LAYOUT!

Tall Building Tuesday

@luvindemtrains Dave, over on the Tall Building Tuesday topic are a bunch of replies by me of pictures I took back in 2019 at the NJ HiRailers layout for the 50th Anniversary of OGR Magazine. While I snapped a ton of pictures, it doesn't really even begin to touch how awesome the HiRailers layout is. Glance over at some of the pics, but definitely listen to John and take Ben up on his offer. If you don't, it will be one of the regrets you have.

The HiRailers are excellent hosts and you will have an absolutely amazing time, I guarantee it. Ben is one great fellow of the many folks in the HiRailers, so you will be in great hands. Make sure you take in some food from the kitchen as I'm sure you will be fed as well as taking in trains. Bring a camera, and talk your head off.

Thank you all for all of your suggestions. If I can make a visit to the NJ HiRailers I definitely will. Might have to move some things around because I will be with non-train people and it may take some "convincing". I would imagine this would be the highlight of my trip.

Dave

I think even non-train people might enjoy the NJ-HR stop, you won't forget it if you stop there!

Here's one video that will give you a taste.

Dave, if your going up I85 through North Carolina, there is the Lionel store in Concord just north of Charlotte, then the NC Transportation Museum in Spencer . Lots of real trains to see. Then right across the street is the Little Choo Choo train store all gauges. Very nice people .

Hope you have a wonderful trip. Post pictures.

John A in Nc

@luvindemtrains posted:

Thank you all for all of your suggestions. If I can make a visit to the NJ HiRailers I definitely will. Might have to move some things around because I will be with non-train people and it may take some "convincing". I would imagine this would be the highlight of my trip.

Dave

Get them on board. They may not be into trains but there is a tribute to the Twin Towers at the HiRailers, which is outstanding. I don't believe that there are any other models of the TT's in O Scale, so that alone would be worth a trip. Also have the Empire State Building and many other notable and large structures. It is a must see, and tell those folks they won't regret it along with the food from the kitchen.

Dave- non train people comment aside.....

Trainland and Nassau Hobby are a hop skip and a jump across Manhattan to Long Island.

Just sayin.....

@luvindemtrains posted:

Who do I contact? I like your "pretty decent" statement, lol.

Dave

I sent you an email with my phone number

I85-I77-I81-I83-US283-US222-I76-I276-I95.

Yes, lot of turns but less than an hour longer per Google Maps and maybe even shorter due to less congestion during rush hours.  Also better scenery.

Mario's Trains in Winchester as well as this goes through Landcaster (Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the National Toy Train Museum). To me, those two are worth adding a day to the trip.

Wow, more hobby shop suggestions, custom directions, and an invite to one of my bucket list layouts. What a great forum this is!

Dave

Enjoy your trip Dave, sounds like a blast! Bob, don’t forget Trainworld in Brooklyn.

Andy

Thanks Andy!

Dave

@luvindemtrains posted:

Wow, more hobby shop suggestions, custom directions, and an invite to one of my bucket list layouts. What a great forum this is!

Dave

If you do plan on heading south to Trains & Things in Ewing, make sure you get the hours that they are there depending on what day you may go. They are open Monday through Saturday, but are only there late on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I think during the week is until 3PM, then back at I think 6:30 on the late days. I will actually be heading down that way either this Saturday or next Saturday, Strasburg 89 came in today.

@Steamfan77 posted:

Enjoy your trip Dave, sounds like a blast! Bob, don’t forget Trainworld in Brooklyn.

Andy

I recall hearing that the retail operation was closed and they were only doing online orders from that location.......

Besides.....2 train stores are better than one.....

Bob

Dave made it to the NJ HiRailers on Friday night   Pretty sure he liked it

I'm glad he made it Ben. It is a trip that is a must see, that is for sure.

I want to thank everyone for your suggestions. Of course with this being only a weekend trip for me, I didn't do everything I intended to. Between the short time, unplanned issues, and having to wait 4 hours to have my rental car exchanged I will have to save some of those things for the next go around.

However, as stated I visited the NJ HiRailers layout and got a personal tour since I was the only one there. That in itself, was worth the trip. I'd like to thank Ben for his hospitality. I could immediately tell how enthusiastic he was to be such an integral member of the organization. I will have to go back.

I also had the privilege of visiting the master builder, Alan Graziano, and his family. As a matter of fact, he was the main reason for the trip. I had to pick up a model he constructed for me, that was too fragile to ship.

More to come on the trip once I get settled and organized. It was a great trip and again proves why this hobby is the best there is...great people.

Dave

Sounds like an incredibly successful road trip.

Glad you had a great but short time Dave.

Thank you Dave.

Hi Everyone,

Here is a little something from my short visit to the Garden State. It was short but sweet and I must return. This presentation is a bit long but I didn't want break it up. Get your morning beverage if you watch it now or save for later with your favorite evening beverage and a snack. Thanks again for everyone's suggestions.

Dave

Was a pleasure having you at the layout Dave   Cmon back

Ben,

It was a nice visit. I hope to get back.

Dave

Great tour of the HiRailers layout. Can't wait to see Alan's model on your layout.

Thanks for sharing your adventure Dave.

Awesome video!!!  Thanks for posting.

@bluelinec4 posted:

Its not a train store but it is a pretty decent layout about 10 minutes north of Newark   The NJ HiRailers club would love to show you our layout

And the Statue of Liberty is a nice little decoration...

Pretty decent layout indeed. It has to be seen to be believed and the hosts are the best ambassadors of the hobby.

Paul

RSJB18- Thank you and I'll be sure to show the model once installed on the layout.

laz1957-Thank you much.

Paul-I really did like the Statue of Liberty scene.  You're correct, you have to be there.

Dave

Dave...

We're glad you made the trip when you did!!

I-95 Bridge Disaster

I still have to get the video in. Busy weekend of work, car work, and other such things that are annoying, lol.

dkdkrd-That's pretty tragic. It's not like I95 isn't already a trap but this takes it over the top. Though I didn't go that way I'm sure I would have felt the effects of it. Prayer works.

Dave-It's not going anywhere, take your time.

Dave

You know what Dave I just watched your video again  Couple of things that bother me   I kept asking myself what all that background noise was   I forgot to turn off the roof exhaust fans   They make a racket   So your going to have to come back and retake the video with the fans off.  LOL    The other thing that bothered me wwas seeing these colored smiley faces all over the place   FYI they dont belong there   It was a way for our electrical lead to mark buildings that need lighting