A few xmas photos

I actually spent a decent amount of time playing around with my Lionel O-gauge trains this year. I don't always get the train out though this year, setting it up and really examining each box car was really enjoyable.

Lionel's M7

In 2009 Lionel released the MTA Long Island Rail Road set (M7's). On my way to a NYCT meeting yesterday, I stopped into the Transit Museum at Grand Central and took a look at their model train display. I was stoked to see the M7 trains running through a miniature New York City. (little buildings, little people, ... little crime) The M7's run on the Long Island Rail Road (LIR) & Metro North Rail Road (MNR). I ride them daily to work and home. Kawasaki is currently building the new M8 cars for MNR. Bombardier made the M7's.

Lionel did a good job on the carshells and the detail is fine, however the couplers (or lack there of) are a different story. They didn't put any effort into making a realistic coupler system and instead used a simple hook and loop connection. (why?) Also, the carbody sits unrealistically high on the trucks. Aside from those two points I'd still love to own the set. Are you listening Santa?

photos by: John J at flickr

Nostalgia and Christmas

Christmas time is a very nostalgic time for me. I'm a pretty nostalgic person in general, but even more so at this time of year. A big part of my Christmas excitement came from playing with my dad's Lionels. He had a large collection of O-gage cars back then. He's since given a lot of his sets to my brothers and sisters. Just a couple of years ago he gave me a fabulous engine and about 25 cars to go with it. I spent the other night shooting each one just for fun. And now I have a small train yard at the base of our Christmas tree. The particular car below is one I vividly remember playing with. (See my lionels here)

I know, for certain, that my love for trains is the result of this seed planted by my father long ago. Although difficult and stressful at times, I love working at Kawasaki Rail Car, and resolving field and engineering issues with the subway cars we provide this great city with.