Trains, a Common Denominator!

Some years ago, I had a procedure done at a hospital. .  While a young lady

was preparing me for it, we made small talk.  She mentioned that her husband was

into O gauge trains and that conversation was off and running.  I was happy to refer

her to OGR and our Forum, which the lady said her husband probably wasn't aware of.

It's always good to 'spread the word' and, whether or not a friend is made from it, it's

a good feeling to point a possible newcomer toward an ongoing source of information.

.

 

     Hoppy

HOPPY/ PTC

You're right on the money. It's odd that even now when I'm hospitalized people ask, "Are you the toy train guy?" These are total strangers. I'm amazed at just how many out there have been touched in some way by toy trains.

Yep, I have a lot of "train friends".... (sadly - just not local)

This is very true. Every time someone learns I'm a train guy they have An instant smile on their face and recalls a story about themselves  or someone who has had trains.

Gentlemen,

   I have to agree with Brian, knowing the Star on that emblem fairly well myself,

it being a sister organization to ours, one of my close friends just purchased a Weaver Masonic Train from one of our OGR members, and Brian now has his also. 

My father ran the boys club in Swissvale, Pa when I was a boy, he started an O gauge train club, inside our Boys Club.  Those men are now located all over the world, still meeting people just because of their O gauge trains, our train hobby truly knows no boundries, from Presidents to movie stars, military men to big time American Sportsman, our trains cross all social boundries in all parts of the world.  Brian is absolutely correct.

PCRR/Dave

It is a small world when it come to discovering new train friends.  In one of my Veteran groups a gentleman was wearing a train pin on his vest.  I asked him what it was for and he replied he was into HO gauge and had a layout.  We exchanged phone numbers and I went to see and operate his layout and he came over to see my US Army train and run it on my Texas Layout.  He did not realize that there was so much O gauge options.  He has since purchased a Lionel Polar Express set for his grandson and he spends more time at my layout than operating his.  The "bug" is everywhere.

 

Steve, Lady and Tex

Brian - That is an interesting story.  People that love trains seem to be very friendly people as a rule.  Sure there is the occasional grouch (we seem to have more than our share on the forum at times) but overall RR people real or model are the nicest people you will ever meet.

 

I met one of my best current train friends a few years ago during a garage sale.  I had one of my RR tee shirts on and it caused this fellow to strike up a conversation about trains.  He had recently moved into our neighborhood and lived only a couple blocks away.  I guess it pays to advertise. 

 

Art

Chugman,

   Art I have an old Union Switch & Signal shirt of my fathers with the fancy embroidered Deisel Engine on it, every time I wear it, I spend massive time talking to all different kinds of train people here in the Pittsburgh area.  You are definitely right about the train shirts, they draw friendly people with the same interests when your have them on.

PCRR/Dave