Last week Dotty and I traveled to Seattle Washington to visit with friends Larry and Donna Brown. Larry promised me if I would come he would show me a week of great trains and planes. We first started at Eastside Trains in Kirkland. What a train store. I have been in west coast train stores in the past and I now know where the best one is located. We spent time with Steve Suskin, Johnny, Stacy and Bill. I found a few items I have been looking for. This is one super stocked store. I looked up on a shelf to see a NIB Lionel Milwaukee S-3 #261.
L-R Bill, Self, Stacy, Dotty, Steve, Johnny and Larry Brown.
Larry Brown and Donna took us the next day to visit Dave and Ted Hikel at the NORTHWEST TRUNK LINES. This has been a work in progress layout that Dave has been working on for 6.5 years. I was blown away when I saw the layout. Words can not describe this layout. Before Dave started the layout, the owner sent him to several locations in the Pacific Northwest and Canada to photo areas he wanted duplicated on his layout. Dave also took soil from the area and this scenery is the real deal. This layout is controlled by a huge control panel by computer with control stations located all around the layout. This is a DCS layout. Dave and Ted spent all day showing us the fine points of this very large and involved layout. I have seen a few layouts in my day and have never seen anything like this before. Dave also showed us his new line of steel sectional catenary he is producing. WOW. Being a catenary kind of guy, I can tell forum members this wire can be used as Pennsy style or Milwaukee style. Dave has a home run with this wire. Please enjoy a few pictures of this fantastic layout.
The next photo was taken for my friend Brian Vaill (Passenger Train Collector) to show what this layout has for equipment.
Dave has narrow gauge on this layout and you can view this dual gauge switch that Dave handlaid.
Below is a handlaid 9 degree crossing Dave built.
Dave did his research on what wood was used for the crosstie for the golden spike ceremony at Promontory Point. He also installed a real gold spike. Dave Hikel has given a new meaning to the word DETAIL.
The below photo is of a coaling tower that actually works and fills the hopper cars. Unbelieveable.
Below are rock and earth samples Dave took from the locations the owner wanted incorporated in his layout.
Here is Dave Hikel sitting at the control panel he designed and built to operate this unbelievable railroad empire.
L-R Dotty, Ted, Larry Brown, Donna Brown and Dave.
L-R Dotty, Ted, Self and Dave.
A view of some of Dave's fantastic catenary wire. Watch for it at York, all you juice fans will be going wild.
Ted conversing with our good friend Locolawyer (AKA Erol Gurcan) back in New Jersey.
This is a short video clip of a burning forest Dave built. The burned trees are still smoking and you can see embers glowing.
On the next day, Larry and Donna took us to the Museum of Flight in Seattle. As we approached, we observed this pristine Concord.
Next photo is of an SR-71 Blackbird hanging from the ceiling.
Next is the world famous Flying Tiger.
Next is A C-121. This is an aircraft I am very familiar with. Love that R-3350 motor.
No trip to Seattle would be complete without a photo of the icon.
On the last day of the trip Larry and Donna took us the the Boeing plant in Everett Washington where the 747-777 and Dreamliners are made. This plant is huge and we were not allowed to use the camera. I have been to the west coast many times but never visited Washington. This is a very clean state with great people. Special thanks to Larry Brown and his wife Donna for showing us a great time. Special thanks to Dave and Ted Hikel for putting up with me for a day. Dave and Ted were great and they took us out to eat that night and a great time was had by everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you two in about three weeks!
