The Andrew Junction is Complete

[Dave V]

Pudd,

Very, very cool.  It came out very well.  You've got me thinking about what I'd like to do for my now 7 and 5 year old sons a few years down the road.  You are a gentleman, sir.

[GaryHinshaw]

It is magnificent indeed Pudd!  Does Andrew know this is coming? Will you record the unwrapping and his first train on the main for us?

3 cheers!
Gary

[SquirrelHollow]

there's an ambulance pulling a boat...

Lee

I've seen that prototype.
Every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, at about 6:30 am and 3:30 pm, you'll see a Hurlburt Field ambulance pushing the OPFOR (Opposing {or Opposition} Forces) zodiacs into, or pulling them out of, the inter-coastal waterway. (Hurlburt Field, Florida)  The ambulance is no longer in life-saving service, but makes a great OPFOR platform, 'insurgent' vehicle, and is perfectly suited to towing the zodiacs.

Sorry Pud, I didn't mean to detract.  What you've done here is simply amazing.   (But, there's a prototype for everything.  ;D)

[Blazeman]

If you can, please take photographic record of the presentation so we can share the young fellow's reaction and enjoyment.

Do his parents know? Would really be slick to surprise them as well.

[Puddington]

Sincere thanks for all your wonderful feedback gang - I appreciate it very much. For the record; I didn't realize it was ambulance..and don't really care (LOL).......

I decided to make a "owners manual" to go with the layout - I included a track diagram, operating ideas, mtce procedures for "daddy"; a series of pictures for a tour and a rolling stock and power inventory... here's the inventory I gave him wth the layout.

Here's some shots.........























Ok; we're on our way to dinner .... let see what happens..............

I hope he likes it... we'll know tonight !

[Puddington]

Dinner was fantastic; the wines were delightful; and I don't remember a thing about it; that's because Andrew got the Andrew Junction tonight....

I'm a good writer; but I can't do this justice; I can't capture the moments in a meaningful way; imagine you're 7 and someone; out of the blue, gives you a complete train layout; just like the one you love to operate......... to watch the process Andrew went though tonight was incredible..."is that mine"...? ....." are you leaving it here tonight....?"............

Pictures will do better than my words............



His power units and rolling stock were wrapped up in a big box; he opened it in the basement; he loved it but asked the $ 64.00 question.... "Sammy; can I run these at your house...."?

Little Sam had been coached for the following answer......"Well Andrew; let's go up to the dining room and see........."

He pulled it off like a Vegas mark..............

We went upstairs........

I'll let the images tell the rest.................







He loved it; and after realizing it was his; we couldn't get him away from it - dinner didn't rate; playing Wii and DS didn't even make the top ten.....he was running trains..............

I'm tired; I'm happy and I'm grateful................grateful to my family for letting me have the time to build the Andrew Junction; to the members of this online community for their support and encouragement; to Andrew's folks for their support and understanding; and to Andrew...........he made me remember why this is all so neat.......and for sharing his love of trains with me. Sometimes we need to listen to youth; they can remind us what we are missing in our lives...........Andrew's passion did remind me; and it ignited a forgotten passion in me..............

 

The Andrew Junction is done...........signing off...

Mike (Puddy) McGrattan......

[wm3798]

Fantastic!  You've joined the ranks of the immortals.  Now you have to start showing the boy how to build things himself!

Good job all the way around, my friend.

Lee

[womblenz]

A very big WELL DONE

You're a top man puddington


Cheers Warren

[SirTainly]

Really generous of you Pud, excellent work.