Recently, I was asked my input from a co-worker about model trains. He wanted to start building a "train layout" for his kids and needed to know where to start. He knew that I was a modeler and came to me for some advice. After doing his research (basically, asking the kids what they wanted) it was decided that he (they) wanted to run modern era trains in HO Scale. OK, great he said, lets get started with the design. It was during the design phase that we came upon the stumbling block. And it really made me wonder how many of us have had the same situation arise.

After working for the railroad for almost 18 years, and being a trackside railfan for almost 35 years, I saw something unique "fly by" Utica, NY on CSX rails today that "perked" my interest. After seeing countless UPS TOFC trains go by over the years, today I saw my first FedEx  TOFC trailers fly by. Now that I work for FedEx, this brought a smile to my face. It's nice to something different out here for a change.

I have just gone through my entire collection of railroad material (again). A recent house renovation project forced my collection to "relocate" to a different part of the house - per instructions from the trainmaster -err- my wife. I had to consolidate some half empty boxes to make everything fit. In doing so, I found that I now have a bunch of extra timetables, rulebooks etc..

I have been an avid railroad timetable collector for quite a few years. In those years, I have been stumped trying to find a few "date specific" timetables for my collection. I am looking for some help from someone out there who may be able to help in my search. I am looking for any railroad timetable (or Rule Book) that may have went "into effect" on the day my 2 kids were born,

I am looking for timetables dated 7/28/1997 or 7/1997 and 2/17/2004 or 2/2004.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I was recently asked a question about using a railroad timetable as a modeling reference. A friend of mine was interested in some information about modeling the Penn Central here in the northeast. He was interested in modeling  a specific region (the Mohawk Valley near Utica, NY) and wanted some information about the PC. So I gave him a PC timetable to browse through to see if that would help. It did, I was sure that it would. I wanted to share the story with all of you.

I am looking for anyone out there who may be interested in some railroad timetables, rulebooks and misc. paper items. I am trying to sell off part of my collection to raise some money for our (my son and I) new HO scale layout. If anyone is intersted, drop me a line to szabko@roadrunner.com and I will forward you a list of what I have available. I have about 1000 pieces available from many different railroads dating back to the 1890's.

To all;

I am a new subscriber to the magazine. I have recently been "reintroduced" to HO Scale because of my 5 year old son. I have been a "armchair" modeler for the past 15 years or so. Boy, all the changes in just HO scale alone. I just love the code 83 track products available now! I am really excited about how far DCC has come. It seems as though you can spend more time above, rather than below, the benchwork. I have spent most of those years reading and dreaming about my next layout.