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VincentUlyssis · 08-13-2010, 10:12 AM

Once the first frost arrives and the gardening weather comes to an end, our attention can turn indoors. Besides studying and playing music, I have accumulated a few interests, many of which began during childhood with the encouragement of my grandparents and parents.
One in particular is Lionel Trains. My collection is primarily American Pre-War with companies such as American Flyer, Lionel and Ives. This represents the golden age of American manufacturing: Shiny, colorful, heavy metal works of art! I also love stamp, coin, political button, pocket watch and postcard collecting. I rarely have the time to really devote myself to such collecting as I did in the past. For me, many of these items are a testament to either the great period of early 20th Century or my own personal history. Unfortunately my kids lean more toward videogames and TV. There's not much interest in these old relics anymore I suppose.

Flazer · 08-13-2010, 10:35 AM

Give your kids time. I wasn't interested in cars and motorcycles until my late teenage years. As for my winter activities, I'll be working on my Uncle's old Honda CB175.

ForceTen · 08-13-2010, 11:28 AM

Unfortunately, I recently realized I have far too many hobbies and itnerests for my own good so I'm in the process of deciding what I really want to continue to do and cut the rest to be memories. The problem is deciding what to give up to free up time, money and space/clutter...

***Bageleth*** · 08-13-2010, 02:39 PM

My husband and son enjoy model trains together. They go to the shows, and visit a few clubs etc. My daughter's hobby is texting on her iPhone with friends.

I like photography and scrapbooking (they go together), flower gardens (especially the kind that attract butterflies), cooking, and I'm also trying to determine if golf might be an interest. One never knows. My husband's current thing is karaoke, so I go with him and videotape his performances (he hasn't been brave enough to watch those recordings yet).

***Boomer*** · 08-13-2010, 03:18 PM

Hobbies. Oh dear where to START?
I love life....and I love about anything from gardening to astronomy to music to diners drive ins and dives. Take your pick. Unfortunately I had to sell my telescope. I have a set of ideas I want to pursue with the scope, just dont have the funds right now to pursue those things. Mostly its just being on my Harley and photography. Love to shoot about anything with the camera, but sometimes my subjects won't sit still!!! Also love music, so maybe a new instrument will be in my future.

Rey · 08-16-2010, 12:55 PM

Interesting you brought up Lionel trains. My grandfather died when I was very young, all I remember of him are from old photographs. I did inherit some of his old Lionel trains, what was left of them anyway, three cars and a black steam engine. When I was about five years old, we set up a track but the old engine didn’t work anymore. It was a bit beat up with the front boiler piece missing. But I remember playing with the engine by pushing it around on the floor. Over the years the cars were saved in a box but the engine was hopelessly lost.

Years later when I got my own house I found the box with the three old cars. I was very curious about them and got a book about Lionel trains to learn about them. Turns out they were pretty common cars from the 1950’s and not worth very much, but they were worth a lot to me because I felt they were a connection to my grandfather. The wheels were all rusted and some bent and missing, so I bought some new replacement Lionel wheel sets from a hobby shop, and got the cars rolling again. I knew the engine was gone, but I wanted to try and find the same model engine to complete the set. I went crazy trying to remember which one it was, what the number on the side of it was. Then by chance my aunt found an old photograph of me at five years old holding the engine. I was able to use a computer to scan and zoom in on the image, and although I still couldn’t read the number, I could identify the model by the design of it and comparing it to other photographs (it was a 2025 type). I then found the correct vintage engine on Ebay, and I had finally completed the set.

I set up a track in the basement to run it. Even though its so old it still runs and the smoke even still comes out of the stack as it goes around. I just really like the old Lionel trains from the 50’s, the way they look, the growling sound they make, and the smell of the smoke. And it was a fun little quest to get my grandpas train working again.

-Rey

(08-13-2010 10:12 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote: Once the first frost arrives and the gardening weather comes to an end, our attention can turn indoors. Besides studying and playing music, I have accumulated a few interests, many of which began during childhood with the encouragement of my grandparents and parents.
One in particular is Lionel Trains. My collection is primarily American Pre-War with companies such as American Flyer, Lionel and Ives. This represents the golden age of American manufacturing: Shiny, colorful, heavy metal works of art! I also love stamp, coin, political button, pocket watch and postcard collecting. I rarely have the time to really devote myself to such collecting as I did in the past. For me, many of these items are a testament to either the great period of early 20th Century or my own personal history. Unfortunately my kids lean more toward videogames and TV. There's not much interest in these old relics anymore I suppose.

VincentUlyssis · (This post was last modified: 08-17-2010 06:37 AM by VincentUlyssis.)

(08-13-2010 10:35 AM)Fozzie Wrote: Give your kids time. I wasn't interested in cars and motorcycles until my late teenage years. As for my winter activities, I'll be working on my Uncle's old Honda CB175.

That is great advice. Music and family journeys bring us together. Right now drums are the common thread between my son and me.

(08-16-2010 12:55 PM)Rey Wrote: Interesting you brought up Lionel trains. My grandfather died when I was very young, all I remember of him are from old photographs. I did inherit some of his old Lionel trains, what was left of them anyway, three cars and a black steam engine. When I was about five years old, we set up a track but the old engine didn’t work anymore. It was a bit beat up with the front boiler piece missing. But I remember playing with the engine by pushing it around on the floor. Over the years the cars were saved in a box but the engine was hopelessly lost.

Years later when I got my own house I found the box with the three old cars. I was very curious about them and got a book about Lionel trains to learn about them. Turns out they were pretty common cars from the 1950’s and not worth very much, but they were worth a lot to me because I felt they were a connection to my grandfather. The wheels were all rusted and some bent and missing, so I bought some new replacement Lionel wheel sets from a hobby shop, and got the cars rolling again. I knew the engine was gone, but I wanted to try and find the same model engine to complete the set. I went crazy trying to remember which one it was, what the number on the side of it was. Then by chance my aunt found an old photograph of me at five years old holding the engine. I was able to use a computer to scan and zoom in on the image, and although I still couldn’t read the number, I could identify the model by the design of it and comparing it to other photographs (it was a 2025 type). I then found the correct vintage engine on Ebay, and I had finally completed the set.

I set up a track in the basement to run it. Even though its so old it still runs and the smoke even still comes out of the stack as it goes around. I just really like the old Lionel trains from the 50’s, the way they look, the growling sound they make, and the smell of the smoke. And it was a fun little quest to get my grandpas train working again.

-Rey

(08-13-2010 10:12 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote: Once the first frost arrives and the gardening weather comes to an end, our attention can turn indoors. Besides studying and playing music, I have accumulated a few interests, many of which began during childhood with the encouragement of my grandparents and parents.
One in particular is Lionel Trains. My collection is primarily American Pre-War with companies such as American Flyer, Lionel and Ives. This represents the golden age of American manufacturing: Shiny, colorful, heavy metal works of art! I also love stamp, coin, political button, pocket watch and postcard collecting. I rarely have the time to really devote myself to such collecting as I did in the past. For me, many of these items are a testament to either the great period of early 20th Century or my own personal history. Unfortunately my kids lean more toward videogames and TV. There's not much interest in these old relics anymore I suppose.

That is a great story Ray!

(08-17-2010 06:29 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote:
(08-13-2010 10:35 AM)Fozzie Wrote: Give your kids time. I wasn't interested in cars and motorcycles until my late teenage years. As for my winter activities, I'll be working on my Uncle's old Honda CB175.

That is great advice. Music and family journeys bring us together. Right now drums are the common thread between my son and me.

(08-16-2010 12:55 PM)Rey Wrote: Interesting you brought up Lionel trains. My grandfather died when I was very young, all I remember of him are from old photographs. I did inherit some of his old Lionel trains, what was left of them anyway, three cars and a black steam engine. When I was about five years old, we set up a track but the old engine didn’t work anymore. It was a bit beat up with the front boiler piece missing. But I remember playing with the engine by pushing it around on the floor. Over the years the cars were saved in a box but the engine was hopelessly lost.

Years later when I got my own house I found the box with the three old cars. I was very curious about them and got a book about Lionel trains to learn about them. Turns out they were pretty common cars from the 1950’s and not worth very much, but they were worth a lot to me because I felt they were a connection to my grandfather. The wheels were all rusted and some bent and missing, so I bought some new replacement Lionel wheel sets from a hobby shop, and got the cars rolling again. I knew the engine was gone, but I wanted to try and find the same model engine to complete the set. I went crazy trying to remember which one it was, what the number on the side of it was. Then by chance my aunt found an old photograph of me at five years old holding the engine. I was able to use a computer to scan and zoom in on the image, and although I still couldn’t read the number, I could identify the model by the design of it and comparing it to other photographs (it was a 2025 type). I then found the correct vintage engine on Ebay, and I had finally completed the set.

I set up a track in the basement to run it. Even though its so old it still runs and the smoke even still comes out of the stack as it goes around. I just really like the old Lionel trains from the 50’s, the way they look, the growling sound they make, and the smell of the smoke. And it was a fun little quest to get my grandpas train working again.

-Rey

(08-13-2010 10:12 AM)VincentUlyssis Wrote: Once the first frost arrives and the gardening weather comes to an end, our attention can turn indoors. Besides studying and playing music, I have accumulated a few interests, many of which began during childhood with the encouragement of my grandparents and parents.
One in particular is Lionel Trains. My collection is primarily American Pre-War with companies such as American Flyer, Lionel and Ives. This represents the golden age of American manufacturing: Shiny, colorful, heavy metal works of art! I also love stamp, coin, political button, pocket watch and postcard collecting. I rarely have the time to really devote myself to such collecting as I did in the past. For me, many of these items are a testament to either the great period of early 20th Century or my own personal history. Unfortunately my kids lean more toward videogames and TV. There's not much interest in these old relics anymore I suppose.

That is a great story Ray!

Make that Rey!

(08-13-2010 11:28 AM)ForceTen Wrote: Unfortunately, I recently realized I have far too many hobbies and itnerests for my own good so I'm in the process of deciding what I really want to continue to do and cut the rest to be memories. The problem is deciding what to give up to free up time, money and space/clutter...

I hear ya there. If it can't be neatly displayed or organized it has to be downsized. I've been there. In some cases memory will have to do and deciding is not easy.

***Neilbubbachuck*** · 08-18-2010, 02:15 AM

Motocross Motocross Motocross! Love it. I ride serveral times a month at local tracks around my area. I race from time to time, only to get my butt handed to me by teenagers. I still love it though and really don't care about being very good.
I am a Honda guy. Back in the day it was CR500's and CR250's. But now it's the CRF450R. Thing is wicked!

Drumming Drumming Drumming! My parents were traveling east coast musicians back in the early 70's, and I grew up on the road. My mother sang and played a 60's Ludwig kit. I got a chance to play her drums each night prior to her gig.
When my parents retired from the road, I received the kit as a gift. And still have it and play it to this day. I love that kit too. The toms have that "green" sound to them.
My main kit is a Tama StarClassic maple with a full set of Paragons. Ordered the Paragons the day they became available on the market Smile

My other kits are a Tama Bubinga kit with Zil. K's. A Rogers Holiday 3 piece (don't play this one) and a few
odd Kent pieces.

I am teaching myself the guitar. And my finger tips kill man!

***RN-PRN*** · 08-18-2010, 03:17 AM

(08-13-2010 03:18 PM)boomer Wrote: Hobbies. Oh dear where to START?
I love life....and I love about anything from gardening to astronomy to music to diners drive ins and dives. Take your pick. Unfortunately I had to sell my telescope. I have a set of ideas I want to pursue with the scope, just dont have the funds right now to pursue those things. Mostly its just being on my Harley and photography. Love to shoot about anything with the camera, but sometimes my subjects won't sit still!!! Also love music, so maybe a new instrument will be in my future.

Love photography myself. I received a new camera a little over a year ago. I wish I had more time to pursue my new found hobby. Undecided

I also love music. My boys are taking guitar lessons and my 8 year old daughter is interested in the drums. I am not going to stop her from pursuing whatever instrument she is interested in playing. I would love to take some drum lessons with her one day.

VincentUlyssis · 08-18-2010, 06:29 AM

(08-18-2010 02:15 AM)Neilbubbachuck Wrote: Motocross Motocross Motocross! Love it. I ride serveral times a month at local tracks around my area. I race from time to time, only to get my butt handed to me by teenagers. I still love it though and really don't care about being very good.
I am a Honda guy. Back in the day it was CR500's and CR250's. But now it's the CRF450R. Thing is wicked!

Drumming Drumming Drumming! My parents were traveling east coast musicians back in the early 70's, and I grew up on the road. My mother sang and played a 60's Ludwig kit. I got a chance to play her drums each night prior to her gig.
When my parents retired from the road, I received the kit as a gift. And still have it and play it to this day. I love that kit too. The toms have that "green" sound to them.
My main kit is a Tama StarClassic maple with a full set of Paragons. Ordered the Paragons the day they became available on the market
My other kits are a Tama Bubinga kit with Zil. K's. A Rogers Holiday 3 piece (don't play this one) and a few
odd Kent pieces.

I am teaching myself the guitar. And my finger tips kill man!

What a cool way to grow up. It's amazing, all of the childhood musical experiences... My father was in an Italian and popular standards band. They played weddings and Italian feasts. They had a great sound in their day and I was at rehearsals and shows. Left a huge musical impression...

Our kit is a re-covered vintage Ludwig kit probably from the 70'swith matching concert toms, a DW snare that caused me to miss all sense of what should have been too much money(it is amazing though), Paragons full set and one Sabian AAx Dark Crash, a splash, mixed Ludwig and Tama hardware. We've been slowly replacing heads and they sound good.

Keep up the guitar-your fingers will hurt less and get strong soon!