Did anyone here start model railroading as a result of watching this show?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_GkBh5SxU4

It was on WGAL Channel 8 in Lancaster, PA in 1959. I was enthralled by it at age 9. I was saddened when it disappeared, and thought it was gone forever.

Yesterday I thought of it, searched Wikipedia and Youtube, and there it is!

I was surprised it was shown in the UK from 1967 to 1975.

2

Man! Does that bring back memories. I was immersed in trains as soon as I popped out, but I do remember watching that show though. I think I’ll be watching a few episodes tonight.[(-D]. Thanks for the link.

Brent

3

That’s cool, the captain was an engineer before he bought the Minnow and went on a four hour tour.

Edit, I just noticed at 1:40 in, the professor finds a boulder on the tracks, small world it is.

4

However he does not use it to build a coconut radio. Must be while he was still in grad school…

5

I haven’t seen any of those shows in many years.

6

Didn’t notice it was the professor, just the skipper.

Also the track walker has a clean shave.

I watched all 3 parts. Thanks for the link.

7

Never heard of that show. I was born in 1959 and never saw it in re-runs either.

The only thing I know about Casey Jones is the song about him dying in a train accident. Not exactly a happy story.

No, I got into model railroading just like 98% of the rest of you, I liked watching real trains and wanted to model them.

8

Wow, Alan Hale, Cool!

I did not see those, but am now enjoying it, very much! Perhaps My Grampa, who ‘got me into’ Model Rail Roading did see these, & I will share this as if he is here! We did get Fess Parker, & Chuck Connors, which is another hobby specialty in itself. So I would say yes, those influences did play a part in my growing up & eventual mature endeavors. I hope Grampa is proud of my efforts, we shared a lot, & I learned a lot.

Thanks for putting up the links, it’s appreciated!

9

I’ve never heard of it before because it was WAYYYYY before my time.

For me, it was Thomas the Tank Engine.

10

Well, those four guys sure made short work of that styrofoam boulder!

11

Track walker=Professor

12

Never saw the show. Love the old wood burners! Every episode they have the same consist with the same flat with the same load. Whats up with that?

How about the old cartoon Clutch Cargo? Anyone remember that?

Pete

13

Thanks for posting that link. Very addictive.

If anyone gets RMC, the July issue (just out) has an article on the Sierra Railroad’s Jamestown yard. Watch the Casey Jones episode called death rides the tender. There is an engine facility scene that appears to be the same one shown in the magazine article.

14

Oh, and are those antlers I see up front of the smoke stack?

15

Yup,use to be my favorite show…

16

Coincidental with Alan Hale, Jr. , Dub Taylor and company on “Casey Jones” was Jeff Morrow starring in “Union Pacific”…not the 1939 movie, but a TV western series with a snappy theme song. I’ve been trying to find a file with that song for a long time.

I can find all sorts of references to the show and the cast, but not a clip. If you do, please post the URL.

17

Hi TR

thanks for that link. It may not have been the reason I started moder railroading but it kept me interested. I was an avid watcher here in Oz back in the 60’s. Always wanted a Rivorossi “Casey Jones” loco after that. My Dad eventually got me a second hand one on a trip to USA. Unfortunately it doesn’t run any more.

Odd that the Skipper and Professor teamed up much earlier than I ever knew.

I think Petticoat Junction was another favourite with me. Some of the support actors were in both shows.

cheers

18

After I watched it for a while, I did remember seeing it as a kid, bet I was around 5 at the time. It was not till the third part that I realized Casey was the Skipper! Did not realizes it was the Professor till it was pointed out. But, he did invent the Auto Coupler while he was on the show. [Y]

Passed most of the after noon watching it, it was slow at work. My favorite one was when Casey was racing the Swamp Tiger for the mail contract. Hum, did not know you could rip up 30 feet of rail and relay and make a turnout that fast! [swg] Good old fashion TV, I like it.

Cuda Ken

19

I remember the dog Cinders, once I saw the dog it triggered my memory.

20

Great! I WAS going to do some work on my layout, now I can’t get away from watching these episodes. LOL!