My Mind's Eye

Remember your Angels are Watching

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

All Aboard for Dad's birthday Train Ride

Happy Birthday to Dad...he is the one in the purple shirt
Every year the last weekend of April there is a live steam meet in Apex, NC by a local live steam railroad club. The trains run on 7 1/2" gauge track and are quite powerful for their size.
Luckily it coincides with Dad's birthday (4/27). Mom and Dad attended
this year's meet on April 24.
Many of the engines are made by their owner's as in the one shown below.
This gentleman traveled from Kentucky for the show. Most burn coal, some burn
oil and some propane.


The meet is held on the property of one of the local members. Below are a few pictures of his
property. We aren't sure how many acres he has but there are 2.1 miles of meandering track

throughout lovely woods and gardens


below is on of the 3 bridges the trains cross over.
The engineer on our ride around the property traveled from Michigan.

Below is the train we rode taking on water drawn from one of several ponds on the property.

Below is a picture of Dad shortly before he was given the privilege of playing engineer for a day.
This train is owned by one of his close friend from Virginia.
and finally a 17 second video of Dad driving a live steam engine for the first time after many, many years of attending this meet.

Happy Birthday Dad
We love you
Madi and Mom

30 comments:

  1. ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ Happy Birthday to you ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬
    ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬ Happy Birthday to you ♪ ♫ ♩ ♬
    ♬ ♪ ♫ Happy Birthday Dear Dad ♬ ♪ ♫
    ♩ ♬ ♪ ♫ Happy Birthday to you! ♩ ♬ ♪♬
    Yeahhhhhhhhh........

    (Cool train ride from your Dad ;)
    :))

    Kareltje =^.^=
    Anya :)

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  2. We wish a happy birthday to your dad :) We also wish him happiness and joy in life and many more birthdays in the coming years!

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  3. Happy Birthday Dad!

    That would be a fun meet to attend. I am amazed at the length of the track and the work that went into the layout and construction. It would make the experience even more exciting. It sounds like you had a great time.

    Madi, I'll bet you took good care of the house and still had time for a nap.

    Hugs & Purrs,
    Judy and Cindi Lou

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  4. Happy birthday to Dad! That little train looks to be a perfect size to transport Shar Pei, doesn't it?

    wags, Lola

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  5. Oh what fun!
    Happy Purrthday to your dad!! Hope he has a super pawsome day!

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  6. Happy Birthday DAd! Looks like you had a FUN time!!!

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  7. Happy Birthday and that was sure fun joining you for your train ride!
    Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday to you!
    Happy Birthday dear friend..........
    Happy Birthday to you!
    xxoo
    Deborah

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  8. Happy Birthday, Madi's Dad!!...We hope all his birthday wishes come true, every last one of them!!...It looks like he had a fun train ride, that was pretty cool!...That's a very sweet photo of you lying in your Daddy's arms, Madi...xo...Calle, Halle, Sukki

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  9. Happy Birthday! I hope your day is filled with all the love and fun a great guy like you deserve! ENJOY!

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  10. Happy, Happy, Happy, Birthday to Dad!!!!!!

    We are elated that after all these years, he got to drive the train...what a wonderful birthday present!!!!

    xxxxxxxx

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  11. What a great b'day present for Dad to get to drive a train. A very neat event. Beautiful place too!

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  12. Happy Birthday Madi Dad!
    These were fun picshurs.
    TK

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  13. Happy Birthday Mr. Madi's Dad! He, he! Well, she is a Diva and now an upcoming Movie Star you know?

    Luv,
    Riley and Star.

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  14. Happy BirffDay Madi's Daddy. Thanks for pointing him out in the purple shirt...
    Looks like he had a great day!
    XX Lounge Kats

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  15. I think the best part is the Disney princesses birthday card :)

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  16. What a great birthday! Thanks for pointing out your Dad to us in the first pic Madi!
    Happy Birthdy to Madi's Dad - so glad you had such a good day and thanks for sharing it with us.
    love
    Martha & Bailey xxx

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  17. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
    Oooh! What a FUN train ride!
    We are so happy your Dad had a fun birthday.
    That was a wonderful gift from you and your mommy!!
    How sweet you are!!!

    We wish him lots of happiness and joy!!

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  18. Happy Birthday Madi Daddy!!!

    My Dad would have loved to spend his day the same way...he just LOVES trains!!!

    Smileys!
    Dory

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  19. The video reminds me of The Little Engine that Could...I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...
    So glad Dad had a happy day!
    ~K

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  20. Happy happy birthday to your dad, Madi. So we're sure he's the one in the purple shirt and not the black and white furs, right? BOL
    Thank you so much for yesterday's comment. We got "good news" and we're hopeful everybody's going to be just fine :)
    You looked cool at Jack's video, featured and all. I keep telling you, you're one cool cat!
    Twinkie

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  21. Gosh, it's awfully nice for them to hold that train meet all in honor of your dad's birthday every year! He looked very much happy driving that train. Have you ever ridden on a train, Madi? It kinda looks scary to me.

    Anyways, tell your dad happy, happy birthday. He looks very handsome in purple!

    Wiggles & Wags,
    Mayzie

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  22. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MADI'S DADDY!!! Looks like you had a grand time playing engineer! Those are super groovy trains! Hope you all have a wonderful day!

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  23. Happy Birthday Dad! Looks like a fun way to spend the day!

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  24. OH how cool all of that was for your Dad!
    Happy purrday Madi's Daddy!!

    purrs
    >^,,^<
    Abby

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  25. Happy Birthday to Madi's dad!! We think it's pretty cool that he got to ride that train!

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  26. Happy Birthday to your Dad!

    Wow! That train is so cool! We loves those kind of trains!

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  27. Happy Birthday, Madi's Dad!
    Sure he had a pawesome way to celebrate his big day!
    Kisses and hugs
    Lorenza

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  28. Now that is one heck of a way to celebrate a birthday! I can't top that one. :)

    Happy birthday!

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Please leave a meow or bark for Angel Madi...her assistant (aka Mom) will respond in a timely fashion. =^..^=
Life is short, spend it with those who make you laugh
“Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” (Leo F. Buscaglia)
TONS OF HUGS
Cecilia and Angel Madi
Email: candb214@att.net