I hope everyone had a great holiday season, it was sure over the top busy at my house.
We never discussed what would be a good topic for January, so seeing as it is the start of a new year let’s talk about new things, or things that were new once upon a time. Locomotives, rolling stock, bridges, tunnels, structures and anything else railroad related. These things were all newly developed and were brand new at some point. Whether it is a 150 year old steam loco or the latest green machine. Seeing these things rolled out along with some commentary as to why they were designed and developed could be interesting.
This also applies to our models. The when, where, how’s and why’s as it applies to the modelling industry is also most welcome.
There is a large gingerbread house on the counter that needs to be eaten and the eggnog is still free so help yourselves.
Here is part of the first order of 22 ‘motors’ for the newly-constructed Cleveland Union Terminal 2-C+C-2 locomotives, shown here in 1929 at the GE Works in Erie, Pennsylvania:
Good morning, everyone, and Happy New Year. Chloe, I’ll have bacon, eggs, and coffee, please.
My wife and I are breathing a sigh of relief – all the kids and grandkids have returned to their homes, and we are back to just the two of us. With 16 people in the house for a week, it was difficult to find a moment’s peace. Loved it – but also love the quiet that has again descended on the place.
For Christmas, one of my presents was from a son-in-law who is a Texan. My present from him – a set of N scale Texas longhorns. My layout is mostly commercial and industrial, so now I need to find a place for a stockyards or small field. The fun will be painting them using a magnifying glass.
Good morning, diners, and Happy New Year. Coffee and a sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich please.
I have the benefit of having this week off from work (and research), so I’ve been able work on painting and constructing the two model kits I received for Christmas. I’ll finish assembly of the train station I received from my wife later today and then will probably see if I can weather any rolling stock. For this month’s topic, many of you know I enjoy the Rock Island. Not sure who it was, but a few months ago I remember someone posting an image of RI 5009 being in the shop for regular maintenance. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to ensure every wheel was properly aligned on a 200 ton machine (and the pain that would ensue if they were off)!
My wife use to buy the huge mansion every year and all the kid’s would dive in a make it a masterpiece. The after Eight shingles were always the first to go. Now she buys a little one just out of habit and sometimes it does not get built. This year my daughter who holds a senior science position with Government came home from work long after the rest of us had gone to bed and stayed up to the wee hours creating a masterpiece that we came down to the next morning.
Happy New Year everyone. Flo, a big glass of Rum Chata on ice please.
Gingerbread houses have always been my wife’s thing, not mine. We would do one every year, but nobody would eat it. It was always just a decoration. Time was getting away from us this year, so she decided to build it by herself. It did not go well. It ended up in the trash before it was fully put together.
Christmas evening also kicked off a bunch of family stress stuff (not holiday related). This is going to be a stressful, not fun year. Frustrating. I’m happy 2025 is over, but 2026 might not be better. We’ll see. Trying to stay positive.
The closest thing to trains under the tree this year was a gift certificate to TrainWorld from my Mom. Used it to repair a Paragon 2 steam locomotive I have that the decoder quit working in. It has a Soundtraxx Econami in it now, and I’m already happier with it.
You remind me of my late mother-in-law’s friend Lizzie:
“Oh, I love it when my children come to visit BUT I wish they all wouldn’t come at once!”
Lady Firestorm and I met Lizzie’s brood on a trip to Newfoundland. We knew exactly where she was coming from! Rambunctious doesn’t even begin to describe them!
Good afternoon, diners. It’s lunch time, so I guess I can have a burger. Put some bacon on top of the meat!
Yeah, we’re crowded with 16, but the number of bathrooms isn’t an issue. But with five of the grandchildren now teenagers, each wanting to take a half-hour shower seven times a day, with several showers running at the same time, the complaint was the water wasn’t quite hot enough. I had to explain how the water heater worked and that it might be better to wait a while between showers. Alcohol helped my attitude.
While it’s not exactly new, it’s still new enough to be interesting. Brightline higher speed railroad in Florida is new to the U.S.:
We’re in the 20s today, but it is supposed to warm up a little next week. The radar shows we are having snow right now, and my wife believes it, but I was just outside and there is not a single snowflake visible. Advanced weather radar!
Nice to have the crazy Christmas season behind us. It was a quieter spell than usual with only 16 for Christmas dinner. My daughter, son and his wife were here and stayed 2 nights at Christmas and one for New Years even though they live 15 minutes away. No one made midnight in the kid department. They work incredibly hard and crashed early.
I am five pounds up on the weight as often happens at this time of year with the extra booze and stuff. My Buds brought me all this along with 11 bottles of wine. Can’t remember the last time I ever actually bought booze.
Have gone for 10km scoots four days in a row and should have the lard off by this time next week.
My cousin passed away in Winnipeg and I am the only living relative so I got a call from the funeral home and have some legal work to take care of. I am very familiar with doing such stuff as I have looked after a lot of Estates over the years.
Christmas here was quiet. Just my wife and I on the day alone together. There were lots of families on the beach having fun. I spent most of the morning on the patio listening to the joyous giggles of children and occasional squeals of laughter. I swam about an hour in the pool before the tourists filled it in,
We spent Christmas Eve at the animal shelter where my wife volunteers. I love her co-workers. They are a gifted and giving group of people.
Her brother is coming down in a few weeks with a new girlfriend. She is a doctor that works in a government laboratory. That is all we know about her. He thinks she will be great friends with his sister. She was pre-med when she met me. I hope they get along.
