My dream is to make a video/song with the equivalent of today's Johnny Cash (a Nashville star) singing my song while Phil's trains run through his layout.
The inspiration for the song was the Pennsylvania Suite video in the McComas and Tuohy 6 video set. Phil's layout was featured in that Pennsylvania Suite video with the beautiful Shaker tune "Simple Gifts" playing in the background. Model trains and music. I believe that's a great combination that can make our hobby have universal appeal!
In 2015 I composed my song, Who Am I (Rollin' By), and made a CD of it. Coincidentally, in 2015 the TCA had a tour of Phil's layout. My wife and I went on that tour. Phil's layout in person is something to behold. He was like the Wizard of Oz, very busy running his trains and accessories for an audience of 50 plus people. I gave him my CD, told him he inspired the song, and he quickly thanked me and resumed his amazing tricks, including pressing a button that made a Standard Gauge layout on pulleys descend from the ceiling; the Standard Gauge trains ran flawlessly in the middle of his basement while the O Gauge trains continued to run flawlessly around the perimeter of the room.
I was thrilled when 2 days later, I got a call from Phil (my telephone number was on the CD) and Phil told me he thought my song was neat. Then, I asked him if I could return to his home and take more videotape of his layout, and he generously agreed.
For me, Phil is the Michelangelo of model railroaders!
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