july issue

I see that MR has finally posted the cover of the current issue–July '09–on their masthead; looks to be an interesting issue. I’m not sure exactly what a small railroad is but guess I’ll find out when my issue shows up in my mailbox about Wednesday or Thursday of next week–although last month they posted the cover of their June issue on a Thursday and, wonderment-of-wonderments, I got mine in my mailbox on Saturday the 2nd.

Of particular interest to me at the current time is the article on a multi-deck N-Scale layout, not so much because of the scale but because I have been giving consideration to a multi-deck layout for my next layout endeavor. Some of you will remember that my attitude towards multi-deck layouts has always been somewhat less than positive; I have, however, been doing some reading on the subject of late and I am going to purchase TK’s new book from Kalmbach on the subject. I have to hit the next layout right smack dab on the head; today is my 69th B’day and I’m afraid my next layout will probably be my last one.

[bday]

Everyone should have multi-deck layer cake for their birthday.

[bday] , R.T.! I know what you mean when you realize you might be dealing with this subject concretely for the very last time. It has to be done, both well and right. It is good to see you being flexible and open-minded about something you had discounted in earlier times. Sign of a healthy mind. [8D]

-Crandell

In my best Homer Simpson voice…MMMM Cake!

[bday] R.T.!

Marc

Happy Birthday R.T. I hope that you have a great day and many more in the future.

But be that as it may, I have you beat. I will be celebrating the Big 70 on Sunday May 31st. As for that one being your last layout, don’t be so sure. As my dear old Mom used to say, “It’s only the good die young”, (and she lived by herself in her own house doing all her own housework until 4 months before she died at age 91) so you and I should have many great Model Railroad years ahead of us.[swg][tup][tup]

All the best,

Blue Flamer.

AHHH!! Happy B-Day to the far far reaches of the wild wild west R.T. Being 65 this summer I’m not sure being a year older as Flamer is , is having you beat. I would say I have you beat by being 4[ years younger.[:-,] BILL

Blue Flamer, let me take this opportunity to wish you a very happy number 70 and, like you, I do hope that we do have

This is THE WORLD’S GREATEST HOBBY with the WORLD’S GREATEST FRATERNITY.

R.T.

Happy Birthday and many more!!!

I bought T.K.'s double deck book and it saved me a bomb-I was going to go that way but,as a lone operator,I could’nt justify the potential a double deck would have given me-it was just too much for one man.

Excellent book tho’

Steve

BTW Blue Flamer [bday] to you too. I was just bein a wise guy about bein ahead. BILL

[bday]—RT

[bday]–Blue flamer

May you both end up with multi layer cakes and layouts!!![swg]

Happy birthday R. T.!

Ed

Happy Birthday to both of you! I will hit that 70 mark in Sept. I’ve been in and out of model railroading since my first Lionel in 1947 and now have a HO layout in the garage, working on it about 10 years. Grandkids are about to outgrow it but so far I haven’t grown up. My Harley Ultra keeps me pretty busy in the Summer so keep on thinking young!!

Gale Boren

Agreed, I think the multi decks are more for multi operators and OP’s. I like the single levels for the scenery aspect.

Happy B-day RT! (and july is spelled with a CAPITAL J.)[:D]

Well Happy birthday there R.T. hope the days has gone well for you and you got lots of cake or some such!

Chuck & Heather

Happy birthday, RT. And good luck with your next layout, no matter which way you go.

Happy Birthday RT. I’m thinking, cake, perhaps a helix cake. If you do, don’t start eating it from the bottom up[:D]

Bruce[:)]

Poteet and Blue Flamer, Happy birthday to both of you, there is still time for another layout, so go for it!!

Bill, who just turned 78 years young at the end of March.

From the Far Far reaches of the West came a man named POTEET

He stood in the doorway of the train store with a sarsaparilla,

Looking for a Mikado and info on the next train meet.

"Hello Boys"he said as he strode in the store

as some of the more timid ran out the door!

Dressed in sartorial perfection his spurs did shine

and low upon his hips a pair of hot glue guns, the well used kind.

“You all know me” he said "And you know why I am here,

I need some track, some switches, and other assorted gear"

"I am building a new layout and it will be fine!

It will have numerous decks and the trains will all run on time"

And as he rode of in the sunset some thought they heard him say

“From the far far reaches of the wild wild west I am, and to there I am going back again”

Chuck & Heather

That was done a’purpose!; occasionally you will find me using “ain’t” as a conjunction for “is not” instead of the proper “am not”–which, incidently, is the reason english–there I go again–teachers began waging war on it in the early 20th Century–as well as “you’uns” and “we’uns” and “us’uns”, examples all of Westvirginiaese.

I thank everyone for their b’day greetings but, you know, b’days are times to sit back and reflect on the year past and cast our gaze to the year ahead. Consciously or unconsciously I think we all periodically peruse our lives. Every b’day I perceive that windows are closing on my life and that there are things which I once desired and which I was going to accomplish which, although still desirable, have, in essence, become unaccomplishable because of advancing age. I am never sad on my b’day but rather find it an occasion to make decisions on the importance of things which I still desire as well as make other decisions on things which I need to trashbin. I will do the same thing a year from now on b’day #70 and then, the good Lord willing, on subsequent b’days.

And thanks there tattooguy, I needed that!