Norman Cole Sr "O" scale layout

Shortly before Norm started taking down his massive O scale layout, Pete Terp (long time friend of Norm) and I had a chance for one last look. Norm will describe everything as the video progresses.

[@stevekancianic5955]

Years later I still love watching this video. I lived directly next door to Norm, and as a boy I would go next door to see the trains. What a great experience. Once I did a school project and interviewed Norm as a WWII vet. you can see the poster I made as a 7th grader hanging on the wall. It's a Yellow RR crossing sign.

[@PeterInPa]

He was getting up in age and his health was starting to go down hill so he decided rather than leaving this huge layout for his kids to have to deal with he would take it down. It's been down for a coulpe of years and everything was sold execpt for a couple of pieces he wanted to keep. I'm happy to say he's still kicking though!

[@travelinlightbill]

Beautiful layout. So thankful to you for sharing it. So much time, craftsmanship and passion to build over a long lifetime. Hats off to you, Mister Cole. I am in awe.

[@MichaelGsandup]

God bless norm when I'm older I hope to still enjoy the hobby like him

[@LibertyWorldNow]

Thank you Norm for allowing us to share your wonderful railroad. Wonderful railroad and a wonderful story as well.

[@prydonian460]

I really love seeing these old school modelers and their work . These kind of guys define what model railroading is truly about . I could spend days admiring this gentleman's work. Thans for having the foresight to document this wonderful man's work .

[@andrewwalsh4798]

thanks Norm. beautiful. I grew up just west of Reading and saw some great Reading RR and LVRR action. Your tour was great. God bless you and your feiend.

[@byates59]

Pete please tell Norm that his love for model railroading is still alive and well!!! I really enjoyed watching this video documenting the great history, passion, and awesome craftmanship of the early model train builders! Thanks again and have a great one! Bill

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

O scale 2 rail is ‘King of scales’ thanks for the tour!

[@jacksipe9573]

Unbelievable craftsmanship and detail in the coaches. Thanks for sharing.

[@penncentralpete]

I was fortunate enough to know Norm and operate his wonderful railroad. Actually, I was a guest on more than one occasion. Norm was a perfect gentleman and a hall of fame modeler. RIP.

[@johannmckraken9399]

I’ve always loved O scale but never had the space for it. This is a fine example of craftsmanship and Norm has some beautiful eastern steam engines. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@ShanleyVids]

This was a beautiful layout. this man took soo much time and effort to make this and I admire him for it. Such a wonderful hobby

[@albertweir5070]

hello there you are obviously very proud of your railway and so you should be that is magnificent i loved all your trains especially the engines Well done this is a credit to you cheers Albert(The mad Aussie)

[@FrasierMedia]

Rest in Peace Norm and Pete. Your interest and joy in railroading will live on forever, and i'm glad this video showcased it before your passings.

[@barrysimmons5489]

Thank you for sharing what a beautiful layout and quality craftsmanship.

[@tmackinator]

That was without a doubt the best train video I have seen. I know a guy like Norm who was a lifelong craftsman. It's sad to hear of his passing but it seems he was able to really persue a life long passion that a lot of folks do not get to realize. Thanks for sharing the video. -TM

[@alsvintagetoytrains7042]

A great layout with even greater stories. An awesome video and tribute to a pioneer in model trains.

[@KittyKittaw]

Amazing history, beautiful engineering, tastefully laid out. The most beautiful train setup I’ve seen. I know many of them are beautiful, but there’s something I really like about this one. Wonderful straight away with awesome perspective, slow banking corners, unbelievable history and dedication. Wow! Thankyou for sharing.

[@southerncrescent1401]

I wish I could have met Norm. The detail, the history, the presentation, and his collection is great. Thanks for sharing this with us.

[@Skeeterguy24]

What a great tribute to Norman and Pete. Awesome documentary and camera work that fitting of this great piece of history. It should be shown at additional venues,

[@ampeso]

Norman I hope that you are now better.It´s a pitty that you have disasembled such a beautiful layout. Thank you for allowed me to see such a beautifull layout. All the best for you and Pete. Regards from Portugal. Alvaro Sousa

[@johnlant1730]

God Bless U Norm! Thanks for showng me your collection. :)

[@Porschedude8]

An outstanding layout! Thank you very much for posting this video. I most enjoyed the history of the trains that he had built. I am speechless and envious. The attention to detail is superb. I have learned so much and am inspired to improve my collection. I cannot thank you enough for this experience. May he rest in peace.

[@kenkime9741]

While watching this great video it's slowing dawning on me that I not only attended the auction of this layout but now own several of the more modern cars from this layout and happy to report Norm's cars will continue to roll along on 2 rails. They won't be shelf queens collecting dust. It's so nice to see and hear the man who built these cars and now know the history of the purchases. May all your signals be green Mr. Cole. Thank you for posting this video.

[@newworldimage]

Peter, thank you for that wonderful video. How fortunate for all of us that you were able to document Norm's life long passion through his magnificent layout. What history - How beautifully laid out by your video and Norm's narrative. I watched the video then saw the notice of his passing. 20 minutes ago I did not know this man existed... Now I am typing this with a tear in my eye. Well done...

[@skee55]

What a magnificent 2 rail O scale layout, glad you were able to video it one last time. Very sorry to hear that Norm pass on, what a legacy he had, what an amazing talent!

[@jamesmorris155]

Stunning ,from the UK love the dedication and realism.

[@Starfield1959]

How wonderful is this layout, and all that fine work that was able to be shared with us here. I really enjoyed seeing the Eastern equipment he had, and especially the Pennsy T-1. If you're watching Norm, I want to thank you for the tour. And of course, Thank You to PeterinPa.

[@gunnyusmc8412]

Wow! Thats an awesome layout, craftsmanship on engines n cars are awesome aswell, my compliments sir and thank you for sharing and prayers are with him

[@jamescapra5081]

Thanks. Great Layout and Trains.

[@cug6]

Really enjoyed viewing this piece of O scale history. thanks.

[@LRSX]

What an amazing layout, i can only imagine the time put into this. Great to see lehigh valley layouts.

[@manthony1956]

Thank you for saving a part of Norm on this video. I have been in this hobby for 40+ years, and when you meet someone like Norm you just want to sit and listen to the history and the stories they have because you know once they have passed on their knowledge is likely lost for eternity. R.I.P.

[@jagerfaust2009]

Well thanks to Y/tube and Pete I've witnessed something special that I would never have known of before. The skill, the passion and the history, all to marvel at. How about those scratch and kit built engines, they run better than a lot of newer ones I've seen not to mention the rolling stock. Well speaking for myself Norm and Pete have given me 13.54 minutes of rememberable pleasure..THANKS.."Young men see visions and old men dream dreams"..RIP Norm. ps great to see all the positive comments...

[@kenmunozatmmrrailroad6853]

Really enjoyed these guys and their narrative. Hope I can similarly be at peace with it all one day. Nice video.

[@LehighValleyrailfan]

I love your layout and really wish I could of seen it. This is by far one of the best layouts I've ever seen. Thumbs up for the Alco c-628's, Reading camelbacks and Pacific's, Alco C-420 and The John Wilkes. RPI Mr. Cole you will be missed by many modelers for presenting us with this amazing model train layout.

[@MartyInLa]

I love these guys who really know about trains. I have a collection I inherited from my dad, but my knowledge of toy trains and real trains is pretty limited. For example, I don't understand how all Norm's O gauge trains are running on 2 rail track. I actually own 4 O-gauge Lionel and Atlas trains myself, and everything runs on 3 rail track. I'm always in awe of these guys who can scratch build their own rolling stock, cabooses, and especially locomotives. I had a hard time putting together some Athearn HO boxcars. I guess guys like me and younger people just don't have the patience or skill to craft their own custom trains. Heck, it took me years just to clean out a spot in my house to set up an oval of track. I hope Norm is doing well. Maybe I'll meet him at the York show someday.

[@maverick1956hk]

Marty, These are 2-rail O-scale trains. The motors are configured to direct current, whereas Lionels are configured to alternating current - thus 3 rail.

[@jonnybeck6723]

This is the kind of layout that just drips class Oh boy, oh boy... The sound is so good it doesn't need special fx (!)

[@eurotoura]

All I can say is if he does portray the ultimate railway modeller, then I do not know who does.I know nothing about the history of American railways, but there was a man who did! RIP Norm.

[@hosayif119]

Great man! Rest in peace brother Norman!

[@Hurricane423]

Wow! That was very cool. They both had such great personalities too. I was moved when he pointed out the two cabooses he built at age 16. Hardly anybody has anything from their childhood years anymore.

[@solidwriter]

Just fantastic.

[@billwhite5905]

Great video, these memories will last for ever !

[@Leogar982]

Great layout and beautiful trains.

[@AGHRMatt]

Great history behind the locomotives and rolling stock. Sad the layout had to be dismantled. Thanks for posting.

[@rancocaskid]

Terrific O scale railroad I am a big fan of the READING & PENNSY thank you for sharing it is just magnificant

[@kgtrains]

Amazing video and layout, thanks for posting it!

[@rockyjohnIII]

A lot of model railroad history...Very interesting.

[@mamanbear1]

Great layout, skill, and knowlege. wow!

[@Approach_Medium]

The NYC Hudson has a New York Society of Model Engineers boxcar behind it. Very significant because the NYSME pioneered the O scale 2 rail as an NMRA standard.

[@Peter43John]

Dam! This General is SERIOUS about his artillery!!

[@GunMetalJeep45]

RIP Mr. Cole you were an amazing modeler!

[@johnsims2728]

Most impressive!

[@MarkJRedmond]

Wonderful layout, Thank you for sharing. The hobby lost a great one with his passing.

[@20thCstudio]

Its such a shame that this amazing layout is dismantled. Every time Norman talked about one of the trains you could see his eyes light up as he told the story behind it. It was like his memories were embedded into the model train layout and everything on it. I hope every custom built; the locos, rolling stock, ect find owners that look after and care for them as much as Norman does. Norman should write down the story behind each one so that next owner knows the history of each one being built.

[@CSX8663]

the whole layout is beautiful =]

[@bowler811]

What a fabulous layout. All of the trains run like a clock also.

[@dragster298]

This reminds me of my grandpa. He is now starting to tear down his layout and starting to sell all of his collection. It makes me sad to go over there because that was a lot of my child hood. On the up side I did get quite a few sets from him for my personal collection. :)

[@teddyabearo1066]

Another O.G. Railwayman, running his Consist on the Sky Line...🥺

[@BikerBill1150]

As a friend from church, I never got to see this layout but he told me about it many times. Rest in peace Norm.

[@goldenmanuever1176]

I love the All Nations. I have a few of them myself.

[@timsalvucci1412]

A true model railroader! Amazing Layout! Thank you for sharing a lifetimes work and inspiration!

[@CJRrailroad]

Very nice layout!

[@FiveHundredism]

What a neat man with a fantastic collection. Btw, I was just in the fine state of Pennsylvania, visiting family.

[@keithgray5525]

I love this video, I wish you would make more layout videos, must be some amazing layouts in your area?

[@CSX8663]

that 634 is beautiful

[@billsalvey]

very awesome lay out..i hope his health is good now.

[@johnc2ful]

we've all got to go sometime but oh to leave such a legacy as Norm. What a shame his layout did not go into a museum.

[@plunkervillerr1529]

I`m a prewar Marx person myself . Love those 6" tins .

[@davesmith6173]

Awesome! they really don't get any better then this.

[@aocruiser]

What an amazing man and modeler, rest in peace.

[@marshallbritt7184]

Resist. In. Peach norm. I am 89. Not. Fitness. My. La6out. I. Better. Hurry

[@janisjade1]

Awesome.

[@tomfrantz]

This guy was the best!

[@charltonswingle3651]

In 2018 I still know of an operating Leigh Valley diesel locomotive Number 112

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

Did anyone have the heart to tell Norman that the Broadway Limited went streamlined later on?

[@PeterInPa]

It is with great sadness that I must report that Norm passed away on Jan 7, 2012. He was a great person and a wonderful modeler. It was my pleasure to meet with him on several occasions. A life long railroader he had a million stories, all were interesting. Rest in Peace Norm.

[@mikeingersoll4466]

PeterInPa how did he die

[@vintagethrifter2114]

@@mikeingersoll4466 He was 90 years old.

[@waldenhouse]

Outstanding! Thanks so much for sharing. Is it "retired" now?

[@FormattedByWeitweejen2024]

Dit is zo als het hoort te zijn, zelf maken en zelf doen niks modern's maar ouderwets zelf de bediening doen Ik wens jullie beiden nog een lang en een fijne tijd met de treinen gr. H@rry

[@lawrence142002]

I'm 25 and I loved this layout. It's too bad that models are so pricey, especially for young people. I would've loved to have started a model at 16 or 17, but I've never been able to afford to. Norm seems like he was a cool guy and it's just a sad shame that this layout is gone.

[@DOBIES4ME69]

so what ultimately became of norms collection? it's sad to think it's gone, and norm is too. :( i made hundreds of runs out of oak island and allentown myself, and it's sad seeing the lat of the "old heads" slowly fade away, forever.....

[@furyxr250]

Great video, can you give me some more information on these kits you are buying and building so I can look them up. I really think every model railway enthusiast should build at least one engine. Any information on them would be helpful brand where you bought them serial number so I can look up product etc thanks in advance for any help or suggestions you may have.

[@travelingman484]

These gentleman of the railroad are a link to America’s railroad past. Not to mention Pennsylvania’s industrial history. I’m curious to know if brother Cole is still with us?

[@PeterInPa]

Unfortunately no. He passed a few years ago.

[@firefoe12]

Amazing layout! I always thought O scale were 3 rail,is there a way to convert the trains for 3 rail to run on 2 rail?New to this so be easy on me please.

[@norm108]

thank you for sharing this wonderful man and his lifetime joy in building this amazing layout. Do you happen to know if the John Wilkes made by MTH or Weaver. I would love to find one, it is an elegant one. thanks. Norm

[@AGHRMatt]

@1macgeorge O "gauge" 3-rail runs on AC and isn't necessarily scale sized. O "Scale" is 1:48, runs on 2-rail DC or DCC -- both requiring higher current limits than H.O because they're 82% larger and much heavier. This layout is indeed O Scale. BTW, "gauge" refers to the distance between the rails; "scale" refers to the proportion with respect to the prototype.

[@rshackelford4445]

it's like the end of a era

[@Henry5623]

Sadly nothing lasts forever...except Twinkies. Pretty sure those damn things will outlive the universe.

[@arndtnew3]

I enjoyed this! I hope I can be like Norm I started when I was 10, and I help I'm going strong till Im his age!

[@74drat]

hope the ones that bought his stuff will give it a good home and not to some spoiled brats that dont now the meaning of patience and hard work. Wish I had listened to my grandfather more often. If we dont learn from the old timers who lived it we are doomed to repeat their mistakes.

[@STRIKER8814]

Anybody who gave this a thumbs down should be pissed on

[@trainman551]

In case anybody was curious, Reading 219 is a class G3 pacific 4-6-2

[@ZeldaTheSwordsman]

+Paul Campanini Yes, Mr. Cole misinterpreted Peter's question

[@scottderail9759]

ZeldaTheSwordsman it says G3 under the cab number actually its just hard to see in the video.

[@daleanderson7476]

r i p pete will miss you knew you very well with the rail group in pburg

[@PeterInPa]

That's a good question. There was no TV when these men were young, no computers, no Facebook or You Tube. It would be my guess that the percentage of kids getting into model railroading is declining. Not to mention the price.

[@hambro9644]

I've been there

[@PeterInPa]

Yes, sorry to report that Pete Terp passed last August after a prolonged period in the hospital.

[@carmium]

Amen. I used to work in a model rail specialty store, and we had ONE regular teen customer. Railroads want to haul unit trains of containers, coal, grain, etc. these days, with as little switching as possible, and all the interesting action is gone, replaced by trucks. There's a boom of products right now, but they're pricey, and aimed at wealthy boomers. Once they're gone, the hobby seems doomed to obscurity. Trains are nothing special to kids anymore - unless they're Thomas & Friends!

[@chriskilla247]

He pass away that sad

[@jlsmith2937]

Is this the same guy that does the I Love toy trains videos!!!!

[@rogeechevarria4565]

hello from spain¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡, incredible and mega georgeous,wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡

[@alexbrown2529]

He's fan #144 and the poster has 144 subscribers lol.