Hello All, When I made the decision to return to the railroad hobby I decided that I was going to take a slow methodical approach. The part of this hobby that most appeals to me is the model building aspect. So my plan was to buy a kit that fit my theme, build it, weather it, then go to the next. In between model kit building I was going to slowly build my bench work, design a layout and SLOWLY combine the two together. Well it started well. The first kit I bought was a small siding shack, this is one of the finely laser cut wood kits on the market. It went together beautifully. In conversation I mentioned to my father that I was back into RR building. My dad informed me that his friend Bob was into N scale for a while but had given up because Bob's wife, when pissed, would rip his layout up and toss it out the window!! I ask my dad if he thought Bob had kept any of his equipment and if he wanted to sell it. My dad said that he thinks Bob had sold it. but would ask. Bob had not sold any of it, so a meeting time was set and off to Bob's place I went. Bob had removed the layout, carefully stored it away. In Bob's collection was over $3000 of N scale equipment. Bob told me that he wanted it to go to someone who would build and use it.....I said for sure I would. His collection included Kato track M1 with Amtrak's P42 loco and cars. Kato dual and single track sets V1, V2, V3, V11, V12, V13, V14 and numerous single track sections. In addition to the Kato P42 loco it included 8 other power units 3 more Kato, 3 by Atlas and 2 by Micro Trains. 38 pieces of rolling stock and 2 cabooses. 11 buildings and a complete Woodland Scenic s "Scenic Ridge" set. And many other items.......I was stunned!! The first thing out of my mouth was " Bob will you accept payments? cause I cannot afford all this at one time!!" His reply was "no need give me a hundred bucks and its all yours!!!" Stunned again I said that is very kind but its way too much stuff. Bob was insistent, he refused my help to sell some of it on line for him, saying I know you and your dad, and I know that you will build it. Bob's final words were "if you don't take the deal I am sure I can find someone else!!!" With that I paid the man 100 bucks and invited him over to run the layout when complete. Bob's final explanation was that his eyesight was gone and you should see how much HO stuff I have!! I said no thanks!!! He had done enough. Bob laughed and said oh no!!! the HO stays!!! Since then (two weeks ago today) I decided to do a modified Scenic Ridge Layout. I stretched the design to 36 x 96 and decreased the mountain range in size. I will not be using any of the buildings in the picture, I prefer wood kits. Hope the picture works!! I am all in!!!:wideeyes: .
Nothing is wrong with slow and methodical. But when such a gift as this, a rarity indeed, comes along... Wow.
Welcome to FB , I see by the foto you are also into woodworking flat stuff , and the roundy stuff ala Jet , RC AC and ??? and most likely, like the rest of us other hobby pursuits that keep us in our man cave as much as our better halfs will allow . Like Bob's wife , My first wife took a bat to my first 4 x 4 N scale mining and mountain but the great thing about an earth quake is rebuilding ! nope, not married to her no more . Current wife is user friendly !!!!
Nice find! I do hate to "derail" this thread, but what provokes a person to destroy a sig other's layout? Is this like the old "key-marking up your husbands pick-up" idea?
"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned"...LOL And he don't know... That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive, carved my name into his leather seats... I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights, slashed a hole in all 4 tires...
Yeah, yikes! Anyone who would destroy the hard work of another over a personal squabble really needs a head check.
Can you say serendipity? Congratulations on a tremendous stroke of good luck, and have fun with your bonanza!
congrats on the find.... I was telling my wife about the wife and she replied "I like her!" thanks honey.....
Thanks all, I was very lucky to score this bundle, although the reason for the sale is sad. Paperkite, I have been accused of suffering from AHAD (adult hobby attention disorder) but it keeps me out of the bars and chasing cheap women!!! At least that's what I tell the wife!!!!
