Just want to send a big THANK YOU to the guys at the New Jersey Hi-Railers Club in Paterson, New Jersey.
After I picked-up my new RailKing Norfolk Southern SD-45 from Pat at E-Z Catch Train Shop on Staten island, we met with Mark Spadaro (OGR Forum member) at a diner a few blocks away, and had a wonderful lunch.
Thank you again Mark for getting me the spare parts I couldn't get in Australia, and for feeding two hunger homeless people from Australia.
We then drove over to the NJHR's club, where we were greeted by Benny (Ben Fioriello) and some of the members running trains on that Saturday afternoon (Memorial Day Weekend).
From left to right.....me, Mark Spadaro, Scott Miller, and Ben Fioriello
Had a ball running my brand new SD-45 on their layout......it is the largest and most detailed/landscaped working club layout I have ever seen!!!! We have nothing (I mean NOTHING) remotely like it here in Australia......made me wish we lived in New Jersey, but the Misses wouldn't entertain the idea.
Ben and the boys were so kind, and presented me with a special run MTH "junk gondola" commissioned by the club. I nursed it all the way back home, and now it takes pride of place on the Buco layout in the freight yard, with other "special run" MTH wagons I have acquired over time.
Thank you soooo much Ben, and all the other NJHR club members that were present on the day....I only wish my memory wasn't so bad for remembering names, otherwise everyone would have got a mention.
Peter.....Buco Australia.
