Ya know, I wasn't gonna post a reply to continue adding fuel to the fire, but since one of the Bednars' felt it important enough to comment, I WILL add my two cents.
When the first book came out, I immediately made it part of my library, and it has since become one of my more cherished books. Why? well, not only does it cover the part of the LV I model and also find interesting, but it contains photos of my friend Fred Wilczewski, and his late father Ben, two ex-employees, and this is why I write this.
Tamping Picks' post of "robbing the dead" was pure B.S., as Fred has been one of the the most generous people I have met over the internet, and that has gone out of his way to help answer my questions, and has shared photos from his and his father's personal collection with me. Oh, and by the way, we've never met face to face.
OK, so you say, "What does this have to do with Mike B. and T. Pick?"
Well, it has to do with the fact that Mike not only used some of Fred and Ben's pics, but also had photos of them "on the job", too, and in personal correspondance with me, Fred said, and I quote, "Mike is a great guy, first class....(He) would give the shirt off his back to you".
Now before I continue any further, let it be said that I DO NOT KNOW MIKE BEDNAR OR HIS BROTHERS.
I have no reason to defend him or them, other than that he has put together two real nice books, and I am thankful.
So while I feel this has to stop now, (the fact that this thread has gone WAY off topic is reason enough) I want bring two more things to light.
Keith, your coment about Tamping Pick and Ebay......I agree, T. Pick (or whatever your name really is) sounds like he has lost one too many Ebay auctions, and is a mite bit bitter. Trust me, I know the signs, I've met enough people like this. I have also met some great people on account of losing an auction myself......Fred Wilczewski being one of them!.......It's amazing how chosing the right words goes a long way.
And Tamp, Pick, whatever......I know you "tried" to make amends with your post explaining yourself, but it was a little too late.....Yeah, I know we're all guilty of hitting the send button BEFORE using our heads, but you seem a little more "trigger happy " than most, from some of your previous comments in others posts, but that's just my "worthless' opinion.
And last, Otto, I am sorry I added one last post to this ugly thread.....I don't know if you have gotten e-mails off list regarding T. Pick or not, (and am wondering if I should have done so or not), but I think I have some "backup" here in the LV community by asking for some sort of diciplinary action to be taken against him.
Scotty has done a great job moderating since the new version of Railroad.net has gone active, and once more for the record, I DO NOT KNOW SCOTTYCHAOS EITHER. Just though you should know......
OK, I am going to try to get some sleep now........
Ralph Heiss
S. Plainfield ,NJ
AKA CAR FLOATER