My love of trains goes all the way back to the 1940s. When I was four years old I chose to purchase a train book, TOODLE, over a toy car with my week’s allowance. Each year our family’s American Flyer layout was an important part of Christmas. These were eventually replaced by my own HO trains, and later with HOn3 as I was drawn to the quaintness of narrow gauge in my high school and college years.

Then I got married, started my teaching career, helped raise two daughters, went camping, canoeing, and backpacking, etc. The only trains during those years were my daughters’ HO Marklin ones in their playroom.

Years later, the little LGB Stainz locomotive caught my eye. In December 1993 I bought a starter set to run around our Christmas tree. It still does, and that introduction to large scale model railroading has led to many more purchases as my 1:20n36 Lazy Acre RR takes shape down in my basement. Space is a consideration for indoor large scale layouts. However, I can run my trains year round, and I'll still be able to see them as my eyesight worsens with age.

I live in New Jersey and teach 4th grade. My summers are spent instructing math workshops for elementary teachers in various parts of the country, but there is also time for trips with my wife. Some of our travels take me to great railroad sites such as the Maine two-footers and the Durango & Silverton in Colorado. I’ve also attended two Narrow Gauge Conventions and the 1999 NW Logging Modelers Convention out in Oregon, and I already have my plane tickets for the 2000 NW Logging Modelers Convention out in Kelso, Washington.

I enjoy the challenge and fun of model railroading. An extra bonus has been all the railroading friends I’ve made both locally, on the internet, and at conventions (see above). It is a wonderful hobby.