Now how am I supposed to build all those traction models with this on my hard-drive?

It's springtime in the Ozarks, and it sure looks hot at Old Freeman:

I see I'm not the only one with the A&O in hand!

Ol' Zack stopped by the house today and made off with a CD loaded full of the Ozarks and Alco's. Had a mighty fine little man with him too! (His cute little train lovin' 4 year old son, Joey.)

Zack and Joey both kinda' thought the A&O Sub and its Alco's was pretty cool.

As for Tim M: I shipped him a pre-release in order to get an advance jump on addressing any minor issues that could arise. A move that proved beneficial: See the stickies above posted before any final CD's were received! (Thanks Tim.)

Andre

Andre, Looking good - real good!

Rod

Ha! 't'wern't nuthin', Andre ! I'm only too glad to be of some help.

I forgot to mention, the A&O came as a total surprise. I had no idea that Andre was sending it. It arrived at a very difficult time for us here, and I just couldn't believe it. Andre's charity floored both me and my wife. I am very fortunate, and saying "thanks again!" just doesn't seem to be enough.

I'm surprised you've resisted stringing wire for two whole days!!

Andre

Tim,

I can sympathize with you. We too are going through a difficult time. You with the loss of a very loved 4 legged member of the family and with us, the unexpected loss of a family member. You have my deepest sympathizes and hope that soon there will be something to help fill that empty area in your heart.

Paul

Man oh man those Alco's look great. Some great shots Tim. And, personally, I don't think Andre could have found a better person to send that CD to than Tim M. If anyone knows this sim, it is he....and he certainly knows how engines and routes work together. Now we have two Tim's taking great shots. I am going to get confused here very quickly. Of course this third one will never be in competition so two is better than having three taking great shots. Oh well. I will stick to what I am good at.......Hmmmm, just what the heck is that anyway? Ok Sean! I can hear the gears in your head spinning. Don't say it. Nor you either Kevin K.

There seems to be an issue with "stick time" here at my house. Guess there is only one way to fix this....get another computer! Any ideas on how I can explain the second computer purchase to Joey's mom(My some-times understanding wife)? I will say this Andre, I no sooner got the A&O loaded and running...ol' Joey was right there ready to get 'em rolling through the Ozarks.

You know me purty well! Naw, I have my hands full enough!



Paul, you have all my sympathies. This time of year always seems to be the roughest. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and yours.


Thanks, Tim, I really appreciate that, altho it aint true. No, really, there's lot's of folks I could think of. But i am honored none the less. You're always such a positive guy, and knowing what you're going through, it's just even more appreciated. Thank you.

Now, another shot. #22 is fast becoming one of my favorites. It brings back fond memories of watching trains with my dad in Portland, listening to that ALCO 244 chant, the whine of the turbo. Gaetan's ALCOs bring all this to life again. The sounds of the A&M locos are so real, it just adds more to the experience. Well done!

Here's another from the B-ville Switcher:

First, thank you Tim. I try to be as positive as possible but I also try to be honest. Look, I have known you for a long time or at least I know you have been with this sim for as long as I have and I have seen your work for a long time and it has always been outstanding so don't be so modest. There is a reason for you getting the CD, so please don't apologize for it. As for my problems. I try to look at it this way Tim, there are a lot of people who have much worse problems physically than I do. So it could be worse for me. Besides being positive helps me out mentally. And like I said, I believe in honesty and I also believe that if you are positve in your responses to other peoples, especially new or young peoples work, it will spur them on to do even better than they think is possible, so it help us all in the end.
But again that was very kind of you to say. I don't contribute much to the sim so if I can at least help by being positive then that is at least something. Besides, I like everyone here and feel very lucky to be a part of this forum. So why shouldn't I be positive?
Keep showing us those great pics Tim M. and those great Alco locos. Love them.

Okay, Tim, a request from a friend is a virtual command!


(Hey, it is an ALCO!

OK, here's the diesels,


oops, next frame please.....

OK, here's the diesels,

Andre -
(By the way, what is with the rust around the front door? Looks like fire damage?)

Tim,

You ought to know Gaetan by now, if he can't have a grimy engine, it is at least going to get some rust. He can't stand to be Mr. clean like Tim H.

Paul

All,

Wow - pics look terrific... Superb job - gentlemen...

I hope that Rs1 is used in a bunch of activities - as it is one of my all time favorite diesels... If I recall correctly - from the Model Railroader issue - they used that Rs1 to haul some passenger cars for excursions and such... Hmm - may have to take some time out from 3D Modeling and skin one or two of Dick Cowen's heavyweight kits to match...


And Tim - I did notice that NP Alco too... Wow...

Regards,
Scott

Hi Tim!

The rust? See the pic below that I took back in '87-'88. I have no clue what it was... but I figured it was too distinctive to ignore... SOOOOO... I "abused" Gaetan's texture!

Andre

Andre,

Comparing the photo of yours above and Tim's shot from the route, it appears that you didn't "abuse" Gaetan's model enough. Your's is still downright clean by comparison. Some of those old locomotives got to be downright rust buckets.

I do know that I can't wait for you to get to the post office tomorrow to ship off that copy of the A&O I ordered the other day. From seeing Tim's shots, my keyboard is getting awfully wet down here in Florida. It's not fair that he gets to have all the fun!!!!

Paul

Thanks, Andre, for the photo of the real #410. It's always good to see the original. It looks worse in real life! This is how I remember the old ALCO Centuries. They always seemed to be beat!

The RS-1 is my favorite so far. I use it for exploring the route. The sounds are so nostalgic, and reminds me of my youth down at the Spokane Portland & Seattle Ry yards, watching these and the S-1's working the yards.

Actually Paul, those Alco's (those not prior DandH's) are pretty clean for Gaetan. I think they look great.

Actually working on the yard would tend to make the engines rust much more than on the main lines. They would be out in the weather more in one position rather than moving through it which would tend to make for more rusting.

Anyway more great pics Tim M. I like them anyway. I just love that color on the A and O engines as well. Going to be a fun route to run, I know it.