a picture a day....

For today, November 11, 2019 .... A Salute to Veterans!     Here are three photos of Freedom Park which I created as part of my layout.  Freedom Park includes authentic stones from Omaha Beach in Normandy France and the Berlin Wall.   The park is a tribute to my father, Charles L. Whitehead who served with the Big Red One ( US Army First Infantry Division ) as they landed on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.  The Big Red One pushed from the shores of Normandy into Germany and my father was with them the entire way.  He lost many down right good friends.   I picked up this stone off Omaha Beach as my brother and I visit Normandy France with my Dad back in 1998.  

Dad was involved in my love of trains, as a kid, nourishing  my passion for trains with weekend walks to the B&O tracks to see real trains ... and of course purchasing my first Lionel set ( and many add on pieces over the years ) , building my first train table, and helping with setting up the trains each Christmastime.  

 The Berlin Wall piece was given to me by a German friend who lived in Berlin when the wall came down.  Since the wall was erected in 1959 and I model 1946 - 1960, I felt it appropriate to include this authentic piece in Freedom Park.   Patsburg is host to some genuine  & authentic  pieces of history and of course I think of my father every time I walk in the train room and see Freedom Park.   

          A salute to our Veterans. Thank you for your service. Happy Veteran's Day!

I finally got the nerve to paint one of my Lionel Frisco F7’s into the newer mandarin orange / white scheme. With the white portion being painted first, I peeled off the masking and thought the look of this halfway stage was interesting.  Sort of a Watco bumblebee with flair.  ?

Rob Leese posted:

I finally got the nerve to paint one of my Lionel Frisco F7’s into the newer mandarin orange / white scheme. With the white portion being painted first, I peeled off the masking and thought the look of this halfway stage was interesting.  Sort of a Watco bumblebee with flair.  ?

Rob

looks good I like it if you need a replacement lens for you headlights I’ll send you a couple of what I use which I think if better 

This guy was working in East St. Louis Illinois today very cold and snowy 

Nice catch Lee, a Respondek GP40 (ex MILW-SOO 2064) in Illinois Terminal paint and lettered for Illini Terminal.

Rusty

Diverging Clear posted:

Nice catch Lee, a Respondek GP40 (ex MILW-SOO 2064) in Illinois Terminal paint and lettered for Illini Terminal.

Rusty

Thanks Rusty for the information on this Engine. I could never get a good pic of this beautiful Engine I never new what it was Thanks again 

For today:  "Brand new 0-8-0 takes on a load of coal."

                                           The "Big Mountain" at NJ Hirailers.

                                                                 MY PHOTO

                                   Checking the tie down'...

A different view of Horseshoe Curve than the usual:

Dad and I walked across the tracks and climbed the hill for this pic, back-in-the-day before security theater.

Notice the inside Westbound track is white from sanding.

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Johan, now thats' C-O-O-L !

PAUL ROMANO posted:

BAR GP7 #63 posted:

Johan, now thats' C-O-O-L !

Paul. Thank you. 🤝

Johan

Cold and snowy day yesterday picking up a load of scrap metal in south city St.Louis and taking it to the CSX rail 

One of my favorites'..

Doubleheader...

geysergazer posted:

A different view of Horseshoe Curve than the usual:

        

Dad and I walked across the tracks and climbed the hill for this pic, back-in-the-day before security theater.

Notice the inside Westbound track is white from sanding.

Lew - thanks for sharing this photo!  I love seeing the "Curve" from this vantage point.  What year was this taken?

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

One of my favorites'..

 

Ted, where did you find what appears to be flat head engine and engine block?

Ron

trumptrain posted:

geysergazer posted:

A different view of Horseshoe Curve than the usual:

        

Dad and I walked across the tracks and climbed the hill for this pic, back-in-the-day before security theater.

Notice the inside Westbound track is white from sanding.

Lew - thanks for sharing this photo!  I love seeing the "Curve" from this vantage point.  What year was this taken?

Patrick, the best I can do is mid '50s. I was born in 1950 and Dad started rail-fanning with me when I was old enough to keep up the pace 

For today: Circa 1951 ...  " As I climbed to the summit of that old path through the woods, I came to see this view.... and a wonderful view it was!!" 

NJT Elizabeth Port Shops. Old CNJ RR Mikado boiler is the base of the sand tower. Oct.86'

                                           Jet is about to land at Newark Airport.  

PRRronbh posted:

Quarter Gauger 48 posted:

One of my favorites'..

 

Ted, where did you find what appears to be flat head engine and engine block?

Ron

Hi Ron, if I'm not mistaken, I believe it is from "Rusty Rails" models.  He has lots of unique junk piles.  Most are just the right size and very realistic after painting...  If has been several years back when I got these and some of his figures as well, along with a small kit of a cabin, and a pickup.. I could be mistaken, but I think it is Rusty Rails'... BTW> very decent prices, and Rusty is a real nice guy'...

PAUL ROMANO posted:

NJT Elizabeth Port Shops. Old CNJ RR Mikado boiler is the base of the sand tower. Oct.86'

                                           Jet is about to land at Newark Airport.  

 Wow, that is a great shot Paul'.... 1986, Amazing just how fast time flies by''..

            Strolling down Mellrose Lane at dusk'

Ron, Here's another shot of the flat heads for you'..

PAUL ROMANO posted:

NJT Elizabeth Port Shops. Old CNJ RR Mikado boiler is the base of the sand tower. Oct.86'

                                           Jet is about to land at Newark Airport.  

I wonder if the shot can still be taken today.  A lot has been "cleaned up" in the past 35 years.  

Dan Padova posted:

PAUL ROMANO posted:

NJT Elizabeth Port Shops. Old CNJ RR Mikado boiler is the base of the sand tower. Oct.86'

                                           Jet is about to land at Newark Airport.  

I wonder if the shot can still be taken today.  A lot has been "cleaned up" in the past 35 years.  

Dan, this whole area was obliterated when NJT moved to their new "Meadows Maintenance Facility" in Kearny, NJ. That plane may even be gone too....... 

A little late in the season, but I'm already missing fresh corn on the cob...

For today: " Just a couple months ago when the corn was as high as an elephant's eye.... Bert the scare crow was hard at work .... frost was not on the pumpkin .... and turkeys were beginning to loose their heads before going to market for Thanksgiving." 

            A couple more pics from NJT's old CNJ shops at E-PORT, Oct. 86'