Large Scale Central

Recruiting Opportunity -- Bring a Train to Church Day

General Discussion
#1

I noted that the demise of GR and a few manufacturers have elicited concerns for the future of the hobby. A gentleman noted the need to recruit, so I thought I’d offer the following recruiting opportunity for those of us in faith traditions that recognize St. Christopher.

St. Christopher is, among other things, patron saint of things related to travel. This Sunday is his feast day and thus a once a year opportunity to talk about trains and AND be liturgically correct! Last year, we brought several locomotives to our church (not surprisingly, St. Christopher’s) to be blessed alongside our mini-van. The little engines were a source of conversation at coffee hour, and, while we did not recruit garden railroaders, we did restore an interest in the iron horse strong enough in one couple that both became volunteers at our local historical railroad. We are bringing Gustav, our recently restored LGB m2071D, this weekend for “his” blessing as “he” begins his next 40 years of service to the Mueller clan. I am hoping this will again spark conversation and maybe even interest.

Anyway, it’s an idea if you and your church are amenable!

Aloha,

Eric

#2

We picked three locomotives today:

  1. Olomana, acquired used last year for a song.
  2. Gustav, subject of a turgid, long-lived post, and recently returned to service.
  3. The Oma Bea-liner, a recent surprise gift from my folks / the crew’s Oma and Opa.

Bringing na ka’a ahi iki (little iron horses) drew a bit of interest and provided an opportunity to talk about O’ahu’s history with rail. Even old timers didn’t know Olomana and her sisters worked the fields for half a century just the next town over! No recruits to the hobby, but there is always next year!

Oh, St. Christopher, it seems, is also the patron saint of storms. All of our rolling stock is on tracks laid on the floor. The Triple O is read to ride this out, as are we!

Aloha,

Eric