And here’s something appropriate for the beginning of the Semi sesquicentennial years, that’s right. It’s the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
(Dang, I remember the Bicentennial! Where did those 50 years go?)
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not feelin especially patriotic this year. I do love fireworks though.
most of my family used to live in Eastern Massachusetts, where a fair bit of famous things went down at the time of the revolution. As a little kit, Lexington was ‘where my grandparents live’ more than it was anything to do with the revolution. Though I did enjoy the big parades! I assume they must still do them, but it’s been many many years.
-El
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We have a bunch of rain over here, so I’m hoping that it doesn’t spoil “Shootfest” (a tradition among my family and their friends)!
Happy Independence Day–and remember, if you have a Bicentennial loco on the shelf, now’s the time to run it!
I was giving some thought about setting up some track on the deck and running the Bicentennial Train but the temp’s going to be in the 90’s today and the sun would be beating down on the deck all day so I thought better of it. I don’t want to risk any sun and heat damage to the train and to ME!
That being said though here’s my Bicentennial locomotives and cabooses!
And just for the “Why not?” here’s my Statue of Liberty Centennial Trainmaster, express car and caboose.
I’m not going to show the whole “Spirit of '76” series, I’ve done it before. Unless everyone wants to see it again.
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I wish I had a Bicentennial train to run, I’ll have to add one to the collection or see about repainting one of my project locos.
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That’s a nice selection!
Today’s looking like it’s going to be a decent temperature but rather humid. I was actually going to set up a short train for the celebration today, but it didn’t work out–plus I don’t have the right equipment!
The closest thing that I’ve gotten to having a Bicentennial train is my “new” RPO car (it’s the appropriate paint scheme for the application!). I’ve always kind of wanted one of the U36Bs–especially since they’re more modern-looking than the GP7s and the like that are usually in my price range–but I’ve never managed to come across one at a decent price when I have money. Of course, there’s plenty of cheap(ish) ones when I’m broke!
Maybe I’ll 3D print a second shell for my 8111 NW2 and paint the new shell in a Semiquincentennial paint scheme! Couple up the RPO car, a blue B&O boxcar, a white SOO Line covered hopper (the big Menards one), and a red ATSF caboose and I’ll have a nice patriotic train!
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Keep your eyes WIDE open at train shows or on-line sites like trainz.com. Lionel “Spirit of '76” series articles are coming on the market now as Boomers downsize and I’ve seen the prices range from around $325 to $400. Considering you’re getting the complete series ( Engine, caboose, and 13 state cars) for that it’s a hell of a good deal!
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Do a little on-line research of the various locomotive Bicentennial schemes for inspiration, there were some good ones. Personally my favorite was the one the lowly Susquehanna did on one of their RS-1’s.
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That would be a great deal if I had O Gauge… LOL
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It’s never too late to start! 
By the way, when I was at the York Train Show in April East Main Trains from Thurmont MD had the complete series for sale at less than $300. I thought about grabbing it myself but then what was I going to do with two of them?
Anyway here’s their website: https://www.eastmaintrains.com
You can always contact them and see if they’ve still got it (No-one had bought it by the time I left the show on Saturday) but I’d be really shocked if they do.
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Happy Independence Day from a real (Ives) Patriot.
Enjoying the World’s Greatest Hobby
Northwoods Flyer
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Bruised, battered, but unbowed! It’s All-American all right!
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remarkable just how much paint is still on that Ives set! is it original?
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It’s getting to be the time to see it again: once now, and then again this time next year.
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Yeah, I kind of share that feeling. Regardless I DID dust off my Bicentennial hopper car!
BLE 1776 HT Quad Hopper by Edmund, on Flickr
Later I’ll have to tie it on to my Erie Lackawanna SDP45:
Erie Lackawanna 3638 Bicentennial by Edmund, on Flickr
Tomorrow I’ll be enjoying a fifth!
Cherrs, Ed
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Happy Fourth of July!
Rich
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That’s a nice one–I’ve always been partial to the BN unit.
Photo found at this website: Missouri K-Line - Burlington Northern Bicentennial SD40-2 #1976 in N. St. Louis yard - Castle Graphics Transportation Galleria
Then again, I can’t think of one I don’t like except for the KCS scheme!
Photo from Trains.com.
I’d probably like to do one reminiscent of the DT&I version to reference my switcher’s heritage.
DT&I 1776
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Today I’m going to the Southern California Railroad Museum in Perris and I may get to see Santa Fe #5704 in real life! What a beauty.
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