Penny Train, the artist

I have seen her posts on another forum and she does some very nice work.

Lee Fritz

Thank you!   

Yes, my full name is Rebecca Penelope Chestney.  I emulated Joshua Lionel Cowen and used my middle name when it came time to have an online moniker.  But "PenelopeTrains" just didn't sound as good as Lionel does.  So I shortened it.  Besides, pennies is usually all my train budget includes! 

A few years ago, I did a custom restoration of a Marx mechanical set for a young second cousin:

And when it came time to box it up, I created this:

So my moniker is also a "wholly fictitious corporation" as the box label says! 

you do great work Penny

I'll add my admiration to the list... Becky, aka "Penny" does absolutely fantastic work!  I've followed her work elsewhere, and was happy to see her join this forum a while back.

By the way Penny, I love the custom train set box.  And the fact that you used a Marx train with a windup 833 proves you have impeccable taste...

My wife is the creative one around our house too, not me. Pennytrains, that is very nice work on the Marx set for your cousin and the box is really neat too. Very creative packaging. I think that box is as impressive as the train restoration and probably a lot of work too. You are way ahead of me in train knowledge as well. I am trying to catch up, but old dogs struggle with new tricks, plus they are a little slower.

WindupGuy posted:

By the way Penny, I love the custom train set box.  And the fact that you used a Marx train with a windup 833 proves you have impeccable taste...

Thanks!    The challenge was to put together a set for under 20 dollars and clockwork was the best option in my mind for a 4 year old!    On the box, did you notice the "Happy Ives Boy" on the lid?  I also made an instruction sheet for the set where I used that old Lionel conductor image with his hand up to his mouth calling out "All Aboard!" that used to be in so much Lionel advertising back in the day.

Another wonderful job Penny.  That box is fantastic.  That's one lucky 4 year old.

Interesting, I think Penny trains is a good name, but I think Penelope Trains or Penelope's Trains sound better, more musical.  Great work, thank for sharing.

The box knocks me out, too. I'm in the process of passing on one of my old Lionels to a new friend who came up with something amazing for me a short while back. When his wife told me his father had thrown away his childhood set on a whim, and he had always felt bad about it, I knew I had to surprise him with a gift that could match his gift to me, although in trains. I've got some DVD Lionel catalogs that I intend to do some printing out from of the engine, rolling stock, etc. that he'll get that I'll paste onto some appropriate boxes, but what Becky has done with her printing acumen is way beyond where I'm currently at. Becky, I don't mind telling you how obvious and refreshing your skill-set is.

Thanks! 

Becky,

I love the restoration job!! AND the box label!!  Your creativity is most impressive!!! WOW!!!!

Amazed, as always. I too, have been watching Becky's posts on another forum for a few years now, and find her stuff just incredible. The amount of color that pops out of her layouts is just fantastic. I'd about kill to have a fraction of her creative talent, not to mention her drive. I can't imagine the amount of work that goes into all of those buildings and assorted creations, but I'm glad we get to see it on here.

   The Penny in Penny trains instantly registered as being Tin Plate related for me. The carnivel of colors and lights that followed didn't disappoint, it wowed me. "Penelope's Calliope" if you will. She has continued to very regularly surprise me with something new. Having you own train label is very cool. I'd like to number something bashed 2-2t  (Too Toot! )

I absolutely love it!  One main reason I love Pre War trains is the packaging they came in, as well as the literature for them from that period.

It fueled the imagination, which is something that's not completely there in today's model railroading.

Your packaging and the train itself fit beautifully in that time, when the most basic train could be any child's "Broadway Limited", "Twentieth Century Limited", "Empire Builder" or any crack train on the line!

Amazing work!  Thank you for sharing!

   You know Penny, replacing the copy written art with "clip art", or your own, and I'd bet you could sell some of those. Or even just the art itself for home printing. Just don't delve lightly into using ANY artwork by others, including fonts and boarders if you sell them. If you could allow for customized names, even more so.