Got a surprise from the hobby shop. Went in to get some scratch building supplies. Thought I would give it a shot, as I have never done it. Got ready to check out, and was asking the owner about some ho dcc decoders. He asked me If I was into Ho, I told him yes. He then asked me if I wanted an old display layout they had. He gave it to me for free. Some of the structures are in need of repair, but hey for free, you cant complain. Needless to say, I was very surprised and happy.
here are a couple pics of it. I dont plan on keeping anything but the structures and the bridge. The track is brass track, so i don want it. I may use the plastic layout mold and replace the track and use it for a christmas display.
Atlas nickel silver track should fit right in to that bridge, I think that is a 9" bridge also from Atlas.
There is a lack of trees and ballast but with a small train of the right “look” compared to the town itself (Transition era?) you can have a railroad that is good. With those grades, I think a Bachmann 2-8-0 spectrum probably can handle 5 cars and a caboose safely.
For Christmas display, you don’t need to change the track. NS will need cleaning after a few months, just like brass. Any brightening pad will do Brass just fine, and with that layout, brass will take no more effort than NS.
You could add snow and a few pine trees and have a great winter scene.
If I may be so bold to suggest what to do with your property, I’d contact the local hospital(s) and nursing homes and see if they would like to have it to brighten up the lobby or children’s ward. You could use a a loco that you really don’t run much and a few freight cars and a caboose for rolling stock and an old transformer for the power supply. I always look at things like this as God’s way of giving me a gift that can help someone else’e life.
Gotta love hobby shop freebees! Hobby shops that are dedicated to customer happiness and convenience are those that are most beneficial to the hobby as a whole! We could use more shops like that, and maybe then the Internet wouldn’t be that great of a competitor.
I once got a message along those lines, too. I was trying to sell some antique furniture, and some guy from Africa says he’s interested, but got into something about a client owing him money, and wanted me to accept payment from this client, cash the check, deduct for the furniture and shipping, and send him the remainder of the money along with the furniture. I spotted a few red flags, and simply politely indicated that I could not, and would not, get involved in his financial affairs, that I would simply accept only enough for payment and shipping. Needless to say, I never heard back (gee, wonder why). I later asked my attorney about this, and he said it’s basically a money laundering scam, or sometimes just a scam (because the check may be worthless).
Does that stranded sweet looking blond in Brazil count? After all she only wants to borrow the money till see gets home and will repay me double the $1500.00 airfare loan just as soon as she can get the money from her Grandmother.
Are there any “little engineers” in the family? It would make a great starter set for them. Or, since he gave it to you, maybe, you could donate it to a local nursing home.
