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What an experience!

SS Sunrise SpecialOGR Forum Member DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

OGR Forum Members,

We all have had experiences in our hobby that are hard to surpass. Well, today was one of those days for me.  A couple of weeks ago, I was introduced to James Hall in Linden Virginia via email by navy.seal, an OGR forum member.  Navy.seal introduced me to James because he knew that I lived in Fredericksburg, I'm a novice to SG tinplate, and that I may learn quite a bit if I attended James' annual open house where James shares his tinplate layout and collection with his friends.  Unfortunately, I couldn't attend this years event due to family commitments. Understanding that family comes first, James and his wife Colleen invited my family over to view their layout and collection. This morning we took them up on their offer and let me tell you..I'll never be the same!.  James has a very extensive tinplate collection and his layout is nothing short of amazing. I can't even imagine anyone rivaling his McCoy collection.. it's astonishing!!.....and it doesn't stop there..Lionel, AF, Ives, Rich Art, and many other small manufacturers from yesteryear..so many that I can't possibly remember them all.  He was kind enough to get the trains rolling on the layout..no silent can motors here folks! The smell of ozone combined with the sound of metal and open frame motors, from multiple trains running at the same time, was sensory overload!  I was feeling the tinplate at this point!! (I equate the sensory overload to christmas morning of 1979 when Santa left me star wars figures, stretch armstrong, his arch nemesis stretch monster, and the bionic man doll)   It gets even better..a machine shop to boot! James is in the process of developing  a couple of projects that will put his shop to good use. I can't wait to see the results.  At the end of the day..it was the people that made it so special.  The hospitality that James and Colleen extended to my family was so very much appreciated. Just down right super nice folks that love the hobby and love sharing with others. I can't forget about navy.seal. If it wasn't for navy.seal going out of his way to help me learn more about SG tinplate...today wouldn't have been possible. Finally, After chatting with James about the hobby, I gained a different perspective about SG tinplate collectors/operators today.  There's a certain level of camaraderie that's unique.  Unique in that it seems that everyone's trying to help each other enjoy the hobby.  This collection/layout is worthy of a several page spread in OGR and a spot on the next volume of the TM's Tinplate Legends DVD series.  What an experience! 

 

Sunrise

Last edited by Sunrise Special
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PS Phoebe Snow RouteOGR Forum Member

Hi Sunrise -

 

It sounds like you've had an extremely moving experience.  It's fantastic when fellow standard gaugers open their homes to share the love the of hobby.  I'm nowhere near Fredericksburg, VA so I wasn't able to make the open house either, not do I know James personally.  I did look up his videos on Youtube and the sight of his layout and collection is breathtaking.  Did he happen to mention where he got that really nice turntable that was at the far end of his layout?  I've never seen so many tinplate locomotives in one area before.  :-)

 

- Brian

electrolinerelectrolinerOGR Forum Member

Charlie

I just love the sounds coming from the layout, which are a straightforward delight, it just has that industrial\ railroad no-nonsense sound that impossible to describe. I liked the tiered approach of the road above the table surface, and the finished wood, not to mention everything else. It looks like these station platform lengths can certainly handle the rush hour. Seeing those kinda made me homesick for the hustle and bustle of Chicago now remembered from a comparatively rural place I live at. Funny what different memories come back watching and seeing the tinplate...

 

Sunrise

Great description of what sounded like a real revelation and a fantastic one at that.

 

Thanks

Bruce

Last edited by electroliner
MT Mountain TopOGR Forum Member

Dear Fellow Train Enthusiasts, James and I have been reading all of your wonderful words about our home, our train collection and running layout.  I, for one, would need to agree with your kind words and thank you for them.  As I have said many times, my husband's vision and energy knows no bounds and the life he gives to this hobby is a breathe of fresh air and invigorating.  I am blessed to have him as my husband.  We find joy in sharing it with people such as yourselves and an invite to visit stands open for those such as yourselves with the hopes that this hobby lives on way beyond ourselves.  Warm regards, Colleen

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