Thankful Thursday: DER-1 (DL-109) #0701

NHRR DER-1 #0701, taken from the top of the Saybrook Tower, SS-102.

As a result of one of my recent posts at the Model Railroad Hobbyist blog, a former New Haven Railroad conductor - now living on the other side of the country(!) - contacted me and we've been enjoying a nice (and to me, very helpful) correspondence, primarily about LokSound decoders. But last weekend he said he had "something" for me. Given his background, and my interest in prototype operations, I thought it'd be some NHRR paperwork.

I came home today to see a package leaning up against my door and, seeing its size & weight, I doubted it was paperwork. And when I opened it, much to my surprise and delight, it was a Hallmark Models brass DL-109 painted for the New Haven, and complete with Hancock air whistles! The photo above shows its arrival at the Old Saybrook station. Very very cool!

He must've figured that I'd need as many DER-1s as possible to power my many Shore Line trains, and the 0701 will roll its wheels many miles in revenue service through Old Saybrook. So a huge THANK YOU to BartH for such a wonderful gift! This beautiful engine is certainly a very welcome and very much needed addition to the roster - I just can't wait to get it "decoderized." Sounds like he and I will have some more LokSound discussions in our future as well.

Just another wonderful reminder of the kindness and generosity of the folks in this amazing hobby.