This blog is to document the building of a model railroad, the Paducah and Lake Erie. The free-lance design is set in the current time, and meant to replicate the coal-hauling roads of southwestern Pennsylvania. This version of the P&LE is a bridge line that derives its name from my wife's home town (and well known to Illinois Central buffs) and our former long time residence about 50 miles south of Lake Erie.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Kudos ... and whatever's greater!

I have to mention the temendous help provided by four people. David James of Brecksville, OH, decided that St. Louis was "on the way home" to the Cleveland area from a meeting in Sioux Falls, SD; thank goodness he has a better sense of direction when routing the bus fleet he and his family own. His 27 hours in two days work on the helix, electronics, and laying track is appreciated far more than I can ever say. Ken Heyl of Ashland, OH, drove the 500 miles (he came a more direct route) to St. Louis and spent the better part of four days helping with bench work and the helix. Ken is the guy who got me away from the model railroading magazines to actually building a railroad almost 20 years ago and has been there to help with three different layouts, but never more than with this latest effort. Bob Gouirand, a neighbor from just up the street, who has never been involved in the slightest with model railroading, showed up one morning with his pick-up truck and said, "... let's go get lumber and start building this railroad you're always talking about." He's been here almost every day since, building bench work, sawing, measuring, inserting drywall screws, and shaking his head at these model railroad guys. I think we've recruited a convert. Fourth, finally, and certainly not least, is my wife Sue. She has done nearly all the painting, starting a year ago when I was too beat down with chemotherapy to get out of bed, and as the accountant of this circus, watching with gracious good humor the $$$ outflow a project like this entails. Without these four, this railroad would not be happening.

This will be the last post for a while; I'll send out an email when it resumes, or you can check back periodically.

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