For the Ferroequinologist on the Run

 This week brought an unexpected addition to the model railroad fleet! My associate Michael is aware of my fondness of railroading, and graciously donated a modern Lionel O-27 starter set: the 2008 Pennsylvania Flyer. It includes a die-cast 2-4-2 steam locomotive, a boxcar, a flatcar and a caboose. A transformer, set of track, bridge, and telephone poles are also included. This is an amazing gift! It comes in an easy-to-carry case, with that annoying Styrofoam-based really tight packing material that makes it hard to get in and out – but that is alright! As I thought about it, I realized this provides an interesting ability for me. Now, when needed or called upon, I can swiftly grab the entire set and head into any situation that requires a model railroad! Many are not aware of it, but there could be frequent micro-ferrequinological emergencies occurring all throughout the Yellowstone Valley area, and now I can stand in the gap by providing rapid, vigilante-style railroadanic goodness to the woeful masses who lack trains at their events and celebrations of meaningful life-milestones! Anyway, I greatly appreciated the donation and will take great care of the new set for years to come. Many will be able to enjoy this train and I know it will bring smiles to a lot of faces!

The Pennsylvania Flyer in a handy carrying case

The contents of the set, ready for any ferroequinological emergency!

 I continued making progress in the hallway refurbish. I believe a few more hours of work will have it completed, and the hallway furniture will be moved out of the Train Room.

Future Passenger train discussion Number Eleven: this time we go south on The City of New Orleans. This was the Illinois Central Railroad's flagship passenger train, running from Chicago to New Orleans, from 1947 to 1971. Under Illinois Central administration, it made the run in 16 hours; the current Amtrak version does it in 19 hours. It traveled through the crop fields of Illinois, clipped the tip of Kentucky, and made its way to Memphis, before running through the Mississippi River Valley down to Jackson, and finally through the bayous to New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico. This was also the first passenger train on our home layout back in Illinois. Lionel made a 6-car set (later expanded to 8 cars) using the same moldings they created for the popular O-27 streamlined sets of the late 1940's and 50's. I always get a warm feeling when I think of it. It was a small version of Uncle Bill's big O-Scale version. It is colored in deep chocolate brown, with orange and yellow highlights. Maybe that’s why I like Reese's Peanut Butter cup wrappers so much (or vice versa). The green diamond logo on the front of the locomotive, used from 1936 - 1967 really sets it off well. As a youngster, I remember going down to the Wheaton, Illinois train show and bringing back these 6 Lionel cars and the 2 matching K-Line Alco diesel locomotives. Setting them up that night in the family room on some track in front of the television will always be a happy and vivid memory for me. Later we added a motor to the "dummy" locomotive from the set to increase pulling power. This was our only passenger set for some time, and it was always a special and magical moment when we would dim the lights in the room and watch the train zip by, each car with its illuminated interior and silhouettes of passengers inside. I have plans for an O-Scale City of New Orleans on the train layout of the future. It will feature E or F-unit locomotives and tackle more mountainous terrain than its real-life namesake. Have a great week, enjoy your Valentine, and keep your rails shiny ~

A view of the O-27 Illinois Central set, (with a matching Pacific-type steamer) under the Christmas tree at the Poynter's house in Illinois