Ladies & Gentlemen,
Here in Western Pa many of us even in different age groups, have participated in our Train hobby, and have known a lot of the same people who own many of the Trains Stores/Hobby Shops and because we came from slightly different age groups we never really bumped into one another. This was the case with me and my host Thom Shepler, Thom is almost 5 years younger than I am so we really never knew each other growing up. The incredible thing is he now lives less than a mile from my home, just outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. Having posted that I was looking to acquire a Z4K Box for a Transformer I had just purchased, Tom offered me one of his, that he had planned to discard. Thom invited me to visit his home and see his layout, and pick up the Box. Although I knew Thom was in the HiRailers, one of our major Train clubs here in the Pittsburgh area, I had no idea what I was about to visit. As most of you know my favorite part of our hobby is Tin Plate Trains, well last light I was like a kid in a candy store. Thom's game room is wall to wall Train displays with an incredible Tin Plate layout featuring both STD & O Gauge trains. His Presidential STD Gauge Train on this layout is just incredible, I wish I had one jus like it. After showing me his game room, we then stepped thru the door to his larger layout, a complete Tin Plate STD & O Gauge layout controlled by a Z4K, with all the Tin plate goodies, houses stations and bridges, the Tin Plate layout is everything I ever wanted to set up myself. From the original STD & O Gauge people and animals to the village scenes it is truly magnificent. I have seen and helped build many layouts, and most of you know by now I am not a rivet counter, I like my layouts to be child like, and Thom has a gift for putting this kind layout together. If you are ever lucky enough to be invited to visit Thom's home, get ready of one of the most incredible Tin Plate experiences of your life, with one of the nicest guys you will ever want to meet. To top it off Thom's beautiful wife is a dog Trainer, and their 3 Doberman dogs are all magnificent well trained animals. Being a Gun Dog Trainer myself, I was right at home!
Steelers Fans will love Thoms custom made, Super Bowl Ring Box Car! - A one of a kind for sure.
Thanks again Thom for one of the nicest evenings of my life!
