October 4, 2024

Hobby Shops , toy train parts for Don Campbell



rearcabdoor, originally uploaded by Don Campbell Models.

Leesburg Hobby Shop – I remember walking into the Lessburg, Va. Hobby Shop and asking for a GP-40 toy train . I told the guy I was going to build a 1/4 scale GP-40 Diesel Locomotive. He just said ok and he would check . He found the first one and I asked him if he had a Chessie paint scheme in a GP-40 . He could not find one so he asked another worker in the hobby shop. As i walked back with him to find it he asked me about the size of my toy train layout. I told him this Chessie gp-40 is my first engine in 40 years . He then asked me if I was building a new layout and I told him I was building a 1/4 scale gp-40 Diesel Locomotive . The first guy it must have went right over his head because he did not comment at all . But the second fellow asked me again , what scale ? I told him 1/4 scale and that the engine would be 15 feet long. The first worker then heard me say it and he then was amazed at my upcoming project.
As we left the Leesburg Hobby Shop that day with that little tiny Chessie gp-40 that cost $80.00 it made me think this was the first step to my first train model. The 80 dollar tiny train has sat in the workshop the last three months and it really looks tiny sitting on the big gp-40 model. The little one is the one we will display on our shelf in the living room .
Todays picture shows me finishing up cutting out the rear cab door opening and cutting out the door and making the steps and attaching the last section of railing.
Now I will layout the measurements for the axles this afternoon and go get the steel for the thicker wheel parts.
Have a Great Thurs.