Ennis and Jack in H.O. Scale

[David]

Damn!   I used to love getting Model Railroading magazine!

but I was always disappointed my layout never looked as good as the ones featured.   LOL.     

Like Jimmy stewart said in "it's a wonderful life".   The best sounds in the world are Train Whistles and steam ship whistles".  (or something like that).   

[Jeff Wrangler]

Damn!   I used to love getting Model Railroading magazine!

but I was always disappointed my layout never looked as good as the ones featured.   LOL.     

Mine either, David, though for starters because I don't have a permanent layout! 

But then I decided--I run these trains for my pleasure and recreation, and that's all that matters! 

All aboard for Riverton! 

[David]

Jeff,  ya need to have a recreation on your layout with the train running past Aguirres trailer like in the begining of the movie.     A trailer with the church behind it,  Jacks truck, Aguirres Rambler and a small Ennis trying not to get caught peeking at Jack shaving.     

[Front-Ranger]

When Ennis and I went up to Estes Park to check out the site for our BBQ next May, we passed a loooooong coal train on its way south from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming. It was a beautiful sight, even though it was, after all, a coal train. Winding snakelike alongside the river through the valley. The Powder River Basin, or PRB as it's called, has the finest coal in North America (sorry if I'm insulting you, Mr. Pennsylvania) and it's up where Lightning Flat is in the northeastern corner of the state, also in Montana. 

I have a picture on my other computer that I'll hunt up and post...

I read a great, tho long story in The New Yorker this summer called "Coal Train" written by the incredible author John McPhee. I recommend it.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Jeff,  ya need to have a recreation on your layout with the train running past Aguirres trailer like in the begining of the movie.     A trailer with the church behind it,  Jacks truck, Aguirres Rambler and a small Ennis trying not to get caught peeking at Jack shaving.     

Well, churches I got more than enough of, and they do make HO scale house trailers.

I can't believe they couldn't scare up an old caboose somewhere to tie onto the end of that train for that shot where the train recedes into the distance as Jack's pickup comes up the street. In 1963, a freight train in the U.S. would have had a caboose, not one of those infernal E.O.T. ("end of train") devices. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

I read a great, tho long story in The New Yorker this summer called "Coal Train" written by the incredible author John McPhee. I recommend it.

I love McPhee's pieces. I read that story, too. Probably should have kept that issue, except that I give my New Yorkers to a colleague at work when I'm done with them.

I hate to think what's being done to the Powder River Basin, though. 

[Front-Ranger]

I kept mine...learned my lesson with Brokeback Mountain. I kept that issue for several years, but then ripped out the pages and threw away the magazine in a fit of spring cleaning. Of course, the pages are squirreled away and my most precious possession now, along with love letters from my children.