I am some-what retired since 1999 and totally retired since 2016. I have been working on my layout for years and create and scratch build all my projects. Since I am getting older I rearranged my layout by removing most of my switches so my Prewar and Post war O Gauge trains would run better. My 9'X16' layout was getting harder to reach and crawling under the layout is becoming a chore. By removing my switches I opened up a lot of space to create new things.
I volunteer at the Holyoke MA Soldiers Home, the Holyoke Senior Center and Look Park in Northampton MA. Since the Virus we have not been able to to to work at these places. But hopefully we will get back soon. At the Solders Home we have an HO Model RR that we run for the Vets. At the Senior Center a RR Club started a HO Layout but it was dormant for a while until another fellow and I completed the the construction of Mountain Park (an Amusement Park from the late 1800's until the 1970's) and downtown Holyoke Ma. At Christmas time the Deerfield Valley Model S Club set up and run a Christmas Layout. We run for about 2 weeks before Christmas and maintain the RR during the year so it is ready for the Holiday Season.
I have published a few articles in train magazines, keep up with my train clubs, restore old Lionel Tinplate, make stuff for my Grand Kids and generally keep active Running my RR and doing Train things. My Lionel 261 tinplate has been running around our Christmas Trees ever since I can remember.
