My interest in model railroading starts with the classic scenario of a
Christmas train but takes a different route from there.
For my sixth Christmas, my Grandparents gave me a used Lionel Standard
Guage train set. This was the middle of the Great Depression
and, even though the train set was used, to my eyes it was beautiful. My
Father set it up on a piece of plywood just outside the coal bin in our
basement. He did not know much about model trains and therefore did not
nail down the track. Needless to say the train didn't run very well,
constantly either jumping the track or pulling it apart.
During a move to another house the next year, my beloved train
"disappeared" . I have always maintained some trash collector's son is
still running my train today but my mother said it didn't run right anyway.
Today I know, if we had built solid benchwork and nailed down the track, it
would have run perfect. I made a vow, if I ever had any children, whether
boy or girl, they would get four things on the day they were born; a
baseball, a baseball glove, a baseball bat and a train.
Even though our new house sat right beside the Southern Railroad tracks, my
interest turned to model airplanes and, for the next forty years, I built
and flew them with the ABC model club, Purdue Aeromodlers, and Skyliners.
Meanwhile I got married and started my own business. I never had any
children so my vow was forgotten until one day in 1988 a friend asked me if
I wanted to go to a GATS show with him. Now, I always thought a "gat" was
something a "gunsel" used in a "bank heist". But, when I walked through
that door and saw trains to the right of me, trains to the front of me,
trains everywhere I could see, I was hooked. I left there with not one but
two train sets and enough track to build a 4 x 8 portable layout consisting
of (4) 2 x 4 sections that bolted together. The theme was a toy train
Christmas scene with two loops of over/under track and one turnout. Not
very much of a start.
The next Christmas, I convinced my BW (that's beautiful wife) that the
layout would look very good set up in our living room. I put forth such a
glowing description, she acquiesced and my friend helped me set it up. I
still maintain it was the center of our Christmas decorations. Somewhere
around about April, BW (that's still beautiful wife) said if I didn't get
that "train table" out of her living room, there was going to be a murder
and I was going to be the guest of honor.
During this Christmas season, Bashford Manor Mall had several train layouts
set up and I met Art Goreham who invited me to visit the Div 8 NMRA. There
I was able to meet with and listen to modelers who knew model railroading.
I decided to tear down the living room layout and start over. Still not
knowing much about model railroading, I modified one of the layouts in the
book "101 Model Railroads You Can Build" and started a 6 x 10 free standing
layout. To pacify BW I decided to name it the J.A.D.M.RR. The J was for
Jackson (my first name), the A for Anneville (BW's middle name), D for
Dealton (a modification of our last name) and the M for Morducum Jct. (need
I explain that one?). BW took one look at the name, snorted and said, "Huh
J.A.D.M. Just Another Damn Model railroad !" So much for pacification.
In 1992 several members of Div 8 decided to start a new modular club. This
is what I had been looking for, the opportunity to be with and work with
people who also had an interest in model railroading. My "Buzzard Gulch"
module, a picture of which appears on this web site, is my first attempt at
semi-serious modeling.
About three fourth's of the benchwork on the JADM was finished and half the
track laid, when BW decided it was time for me to remodel the basement and
add another finished room. To get me interested in doing it, she said I
could move the railroad into the new room. When she saw how much space the
layout took up, she said I might as well have taken the whole room.
WHOOPEE! I had just acquired more trackage rights. Not much as the room is
only 12 x 13 but that is better than 6 x 10 and gives me the ability to go
around the walls with an island.
The JADM is now being dismantled and a new layout is being designed. Also,
no more "cutesy" names. I have about decided on the name
L&N Southern. This because I grew up alongside the Southern tracks and,
during my selling career, I called on the L&N. The premise will be a bridge
line operated jointly by the L&N and Southern serving areas that aren't
profitable for one to serve alone. The era will be the steam-diesel
transition.
My philosophy on model railroading is there is plenty of room for everyone
in the hobby, those who like to stick strictly to prototype, those who like
to freelance and those who just like to watch choo-choos run. After all, it
is a hobby and it should be FUN !
Charlie Fackler
email:
charliefackler12@gmail.com
